Young Africans are leveraging smartphones and social media to advocate for improved sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), according to panelists at the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum in Cape Town. The event highlighted the role of digital platforms in empowering Africa’s youth to reshape public health conversations and break down cultural stigmas around SRHR.
With 77% of the African population under 35, young people are increasingly using technology to push for greater access to SRHR services. Angella Summer Namubiru, a Ugandan digital content creator with over six million followers on TikTok, emphasized the transformative power of social media in SRHR advocacy. “Technology gives young people a chance to share their stories, learn about sexual and reproductive health, and make informed choices for their lives and health,” she said.
The panel, hosted by Brands on a Mission as part of its “African Voices” initiative, brought together SRHR advocates and tech experts to discuss how digital tools are amplifying the reach of SRHR information. Professor Myriam Sidibe, founder of Brands on a Mission, underscored the importance of young Africans in shaping SRHR narratives, saying, “The young voices we heard today are the voices we need to listen to across Africa. Emerging technologies offer exciting opportunities to enhance SRHR and address gender-based violence.”
Dr. Mercy Nhamo-Murire, Deputy Chief Impact Officer at Tiko, highlighted the role of mobile technology in addressing critical issues like teenage pregnancy, HIV, and sexual violence, which affect many young people in sub-Saharan Africa. “Technology and real-time data are proving effective in providing community-based, girl-centered solutions that offer safe and stigma-free health services,” she said.
Panelists noted that digital platforms provide low-cost, anonymous, and accessible resources for young Africans to access educational content on SRHR. Kris Lemon, a Senior Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning Associate at Reach Digital Health, spoke on the need to make these digital resources available to marginalized communities. “Mobile platforms are particularly beneficial for young people pursuing their SRHR goals,” he said, “allowing them to access educational and motivational content tailored to their needs.”
Ndiilokelwa Nthengwe, Executive Director of the Voices for Choices and Rights Coalition, highlighted the importance of diverse leadership in the SRHR space. “The future of technology is evolving much quicker than the representation of accountable leadership,” Nthengwe noted. “African women, in all our diversity, must remain cognizant of this reality as we grow into positions of influence.”
The panel underscored a vision where young Africans use technology not only to access SRHR information but to actively shape public health policy.