MONROVIA: About ten youths from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Liberia, Ethiopia, and Nigeria, who exemplified leadership in gender equality for young adolescents participated in a training held in Monrovia from September 10-12 2024.
The Youth 4 Youth Advocacy Cohort was developed based on three years of collaboration involving Breakthrough ACTION and the Global Early Adolescent Study (GEAS), both of which are based at the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) in the United States of America.
Giving overview of the project and training, the International Consultant, Jutomue Doetein ,said GEAS has shown that gender norms impact all areas of health for adolescents, but especially sexual and reproductive health.
“Breakthrough ACTION, which uses social behavior change approaches to improve many health areas worldwide, partnered with the GEAS to create gender transformative programs for young people”.
“Doetein added that it was this work that inspired the Youth 4 Youth advocacy cohort, giving young advocates the tools to bring these issues to light at a global level.
He said the goals of the cohort were to empower young leaders, ages range from 18-25, from six countries across Sub-Saharan Africa to create their own advocacy strategies.
Meanwhile, the senior program officer of Breakthrough ACTION disclosed that they had over 350 applications, and we selected 12 participants from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Liberia, Ethiopia, and Nigeria, who exemplified youth leadership in gender equality for young adolescents.
Kare Hunersen said This strategy was an example of a true “by youth, for youth” approach, as it was primarily led by an inspiring young advocate from Liberia who already has many years of experience in capacity building and gender equality.
Mrs. Hunersen added that Over the last three months, the cohort members participated in six virtual sessions where they learned about gender transformative programs, social behavior change, communication, and principles of SMART advocacy.
“This week, ten participants came together in Monrovia, Liberia, to finish training in SMART advocacy, receive support in developing their own advocacy strategies, and presenting their “pitch” to local stakeholders”
The goal of this project is for them to use these strategies to help their own organizations achieve their goals.
Speaking after the three-day intensive training, a participant from Uganda said the training was eyes- opening for young people across Africa and they are going to make the necessary change that will make them to engage policymakers.
Anena Nknay who runs a community-based organizations called “Community Raising Girls Network said they do so much advocacy.
She said the new method learned from the Youth for youth smart Advocacy training will add values to the work they have been doing in Uganda and Africa at-Large.
Miss Nknay said the knowledge gained from the training will help them approach stakeholders in a timely manner.
At the same time, a female participant from Keyan thanked the organizers and partners for providing such a training that had brightened their knowledge in Advocacy for people in their various countries.
According to Lucas Kmama Kondo, before attending the training, he had not been able to change the approach on Advocacy especially meeting National leaders in Keyan.
But with the smart for smart Advocacy training, he will change the method and further engage policy makers.
He said as they depart Liberia for their various Counties, all of the topics that were covered during the past three days will help his organization to get on path with other Advocacy groups in the African region.
