Digital Platforms Key to Driving SRHR Agenda in Africa, says Global Forum

Activists, influencers and technology experts say young people have made major gains by advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) narratives, particularly for adolescent girls and young women through digital technologies.

Speaking during the “African Voices: Shaping a New SRHR Narrative through Technology” session, the panellists and participants underscored how young people are using the internet to dismantle long-standing barriers to SRHR access.

The session held during the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum in Cape Town, spotlighted the immense potential of Africa’s young people.

With 77% of Africa’s population under the age of 35, the continent’s young people are a powerful force for change, uniquely positioned to drive SRHR transformation.

Professor Myriam Sidibe, chief of Mission at Brands on a Mission(Boam) speaks during the African Voices: Shaping a New SRHR Narrative through Technology session convened at the Sexual Violence Research Institute(SVRI) Forum in Cape Town, South Africa. Professor Sidibe underscored the influence that young people and digital technologies can have to address long-standing barriers to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights(SRHR).

The side event, hosted by Brands on a Mission (BoaM) as part of its African Voices initiative, observed that far from being passive recipients, today’s young people are asserting themselves as discerning consumers of SRHR services, demanding solutions that are responsive to their preferences, experiences, and realities.

By leveraging these technologies, young people are driving conversations that are deeply relevant to their lives, and actively shaping and influencing public health narratives, helping to dismantle cultural stigmas and expand access to vital SRHR services across the continent.

Professor Myriam Sidibe, Founder and Chief Mission Officer, at Brands on a Mission, stressed the need for African young people to be central in shaping SRHR solutions.

“The young voices that we heard today are the voices we need to keep listening to in our homes, communities and online. Young people are communication experts shaping our stories and Africa’s future, we need to meet them where they are at and expand on their potential. There has been so much hope and excitement expressed today on how emerging technologies can unlock innovation and impact for SRHR and Gender Based Violence(GBV) on the African continent”, she said.

Angella Summer Namubiru, a Ugandan media personality and digital content creator with over six million followers on TikTok, highlighted the pivotal role of social media in amplifying young people-driven SRHR advocacy saying, “Technology gives young people a chance to share their stories, learn about sexual and reproductive health, and create ways to earn money. When young people have these opportunities, they can make better choices for their lives and health without being forced into situations they do not want.

Fatima Carvalho, co-founder of Cape Verde-based Eco-Feminism Movement(Cabo Verde Ecofeminism Movement), highlighted the need to integrate traditional practices with technological advancements to make SRHR interventions more effective:

“I believe that the most effective SRHR interventions lie at the intersection of tradition and innovation. By combining the wisdom of our ancestors with modern technology, we can create holistic solutions that are both culturally relevant and forward-thinking, ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight for reproductive rights and gender equality”

Dr. Mercy Nhamo-Murire, deputy chief impact officer at Tiko, underscored the vital role technology can play in removing social and financial barriers to care, ultimately empowering girls as agents in their sexual and reproductive health journey.

“Adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa are faced with the interconnected triple threat of teenage pregnancy, HIV infection and sexual violence. Technology and real-time data are proving powerfully effective in unlocking community-based, girl-centred solutions to combat this threat, enabling girls to access integrated, safe and stigma-free health services that work holistically within delicate local contexts to meet their evolving needs.”

Kris Lemon, senior monitoring evaluation research and learning associate at Reach Digital Health, complemented, speaking on the necessity of making these technologies accessible to marginalised communities:

“Where technologies are developed to facilitate people’s goals, evidence increasingly shows that digital technologies offer particular benefits to young people pursuing their sexual and reproductive health aims. Mobile platforms allow users to access a world of educational, motivational, and supportive content, at low cost and anonymously, with AI increasing the match between content and users’ individual needs.”

Ndiilokelwa Nthengwe, executive director of the Voices for Choices and Rights Coalition, highlighted the importance of diverse leadership in shaping the future of SRHR.

Ndiilokelwa Nthengwe, Executive Director of the Voices for Choices and Rights Coalition

She stated,

“The future of technology is evolving much quicker than the representation of accountable leadership. We, African women in all our diversity, need to remain cognizant of this reality as we grow into positions of influence and leadership.”

The session, part of the broader SVRI Forum agenda, aimed to strengthen partnerships and foster new collaborations between African influencers, civil society organisations, and technology-driven NGOs. It called for the creation of safe and stigma-free digital spaces where young people can access and shape relevant SRHR content.