SAfAIDS Zimbabwe applied capacity strengthening approaches with UNFPA Zimbabwe and World Vision Zimbabwe. In advancing digital innovation for strengthened #GBV responses, accountability monitoring & survivor-centred service delivery, SAfAIDS Zimbabwe applied capacity strengthening approaches with UNFPA Zimbabwe and World Vision Zimbabwe on the MobiSAfAIDS Application, SAM4SRHR Model & Adapted GBV Response Model under the Women at the Centre Programme The collaborative engagement unpacked how MobiSAfAIDS App can be applied for effective GBV case management, referral pathways, accountability monitoring, evidence generation & timely access to quality services for survivors The engagement explored how #DigitalSolutions in SRHR response ecosystems, contribute to improved case tracking, service coordination & more robust GBV case closure systems

Ministry of Health strengthens Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights advocacy through Capacity Building workshop. 11 minutes ago 0 The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Women, and the Government of Canada, recently convened a two-day workshop aimed at strengthening advocacy efforts around Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Saint Lucia. The SMART Advocacy Capacity Building: Strategy and Design Workshop, held at the Bay Gardens Inn from April 23 to the 24, 2026, brought together health authorities, non- governmental organizations, youth advocates, and civil society representatives to build capacity and refine strategic engagement in the advancement of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights policies and services. Camille Marcotte, the Sexual and Reproductive Health Specialist with the United Nations Population Fund underscored the significance of this moment, noting that the programme has supported the development of key frameworks including the Adolescent Health and Development Standards and the Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy for Saint Lucia. "We are gathered here for the Build Back Equal program. It's a program that started a few years ago, funded by the Canadian government and implemented by UN Women and UNFPA. So that program is now reaching the end, but over the past few years, we have supported the development of the adolescent health and development standards, and also the sexual and reproductive health strategy. And so now today we are gathered here to really kind of build momentum and the capacity of health authorities, youth advocates, and civil society to go from the elaboration phase to the implementation phase. And so the advocacy workshop means to give our partners really all the means necessary to kind of push that agenda forward." Central to the workshop's agenda is ensuring that policies and services are aligned with the real and pressing needs of young people in Saint Lucia. "What we really want... is to make sure that we work together... with our partners for the policy and services to align with the needs of the youth of St. Lucia. We want to make sure that the accessibility of services can increase, that they respond to their needs. There has been a lot of efforts in that sense over the past few years in St. Lucia. Now what we want to see is really policies put in practice, looking at the gaps and how can we gather together to cover these gaps and make sure that you can access services." The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Adjani Hilbert, an experienced consultant working with UNFPA, whose advocacy expertise spans the Caribbean, Eastern Africa, Europe, and Asia. The SMART Advocacy Workshop represents a continued commitment by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition to strengthen civil society's role in advancing SRHR in Saint Lucia.

UNFPA Ghana wins National Youth Champion Award at Head of State honours. UNFPA Ghana has received the National Youth Champion Award for its impact in youth leadership development through its flagship Youth Leaders (YoLe) Fellowship Programme. The recognition was conferred at the 2025 Head of State Awards ceremony in Accra, held under the patronage of President John Dramani Mahama. The award highlights UNFPA Ghana's exceptional commitment to advancing youth development at both national and international levels. The event also honoured 336 young Ghanaians with Gold Awards under the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Programme. The citation reads: "You have contributed to the youth ecosystem through impactful partnerships, strategic resource mobilisation, and ethical values-driven leadership, upholding the principles of good governance, inclusivity, empowerment, and sustainability." Since its launch in 2018, the UNFPA Youth Leaders (YoLe) Fellowship Programme has trained and mentored over 200 young Ghanaians across seven cohorts. The programme equips young people with leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement skills to actively participate in decision-making and contribute to national development. Through mentorship, training, and practical exposure, fellows are now working across public service, civil society, and community initiatives. They are leading efforts in governance, health, and youth empowerment, while the growing alumni network continues to expand the programme's reach across the country. The award also reflects UNFPA Ghana's broader investment in strengthening youth development systems. In partnership with national institutions, the organisation supported the development of a master's degree in Youth Leadership and Development at the University of Ghana, helping to formalise youth leadership as an academic and professional field. Additionally, youth development priorities have been integrated into national service engagement, reaching young people as they transition into the workforce. "This recognition reflects clear results in how we are investing in young people. Through strong partnerships, we are equipping youth to lead, influence decisions, and drive change in their communities. Our focus now is to expand these opportunities and strengthen the systems that support youth leadership at scale," said Dr. Wilfred Ochan, Country Representative of UNFPA Ghana. The recognition comes at a time when youth remain central to Ghana's development agenda. With a large youth population, investment in leadership, skills, and civic participation continues to be key to inclusive growth. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *