Entering civic space: youth experiences in sexual and reproductive health and rights advocacy in Ethiopia, Mali and Mozambique

Abstract

Young people are increasingly involved in advocacy on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), but research documenting their experiences remains limited. This article explores how young people advocate for SRHR in Ethiopia, Mali and Mozambique, what motivates them, what barriers they face, and how they overcome them. Building on in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, the findings show that across the three countries, youth are motivated to advocate for SRHR because it resonates with their direct realities, but experience challenges throughout. This is linked to a need for accessible and flexible funding for youth initiatives, trust from established organisations acting as allies, and freedom to establish advocacy agendas. Young people furthermore recommended more diverse youth perspectives should be represented in initiatives. Insights from this study are relevant to youth-led organisations, non-governmental organisations and governments interested in equal partnerships with young people in decision-making, and funders supporting international development aid.

Keywords

• Youth advocacy
• youth participation
• civil society
• sexual and reproductive health and rights
• young people
• Sub-Saharan Africa