Youth Leaders Champion SRHR and Gender Justice at Global Forum in Bogota

By: David Joseph Kasule

Young advocates from across Asia and Africa gathered at the Hyatt Place Convention Center in Bogotá to celebrate the transformative power of youth leadership in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

The event, themed “Celebrating Youth Leadership and Movement Building for SRHR,” highlighted the achievements of the Right Here Right Now (RHRN) partnership over the past five years.

Organized by Rutgers and the Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW), the session brought together youth advocates, civil society partners, donors, and policymakers to recognize how young people are shaping inclusive, rights-based SRHR movements in the face of global challenges such as shrinking civic spaces and regressive policies.

Opening remarks by Sai Jyothirmai Racherla, Deputy Executive Director of ARROW, underscored the critical role of young leaders in sustaining progress.

“Across continents, young people are not just beneficiaries but drivers of social change,” she said.

Reina Buijs, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Colombia, delivered the keynote address, reaffirming her country’s commitment to supporting youth participation and leadership in global SRHR initiatives.

The heart of the event featured a “Youth Storytelling: Agents of Change” segment, where young advocates shared inspiring TED Talk–style stories from Bangladesh, Kenya, Nepal, and Ethiopia. From building resilient networks and fostering inclusivity to championing intersectional partnerships, each story illustrated how youth-led coalitions under RHRN have turned advocacy into action.

A dynamic panel discussion, “Investing in the Future of Youth-Led SRHR,” brought together youth leaders and representatives from organizations including Amplify Change, FP2030, and Ibis Reproductive Health.

The conversation centered on sustaining youth movements, strengthening intergenerational collaboration, and scaling innovative approaches to advocacy and civic engagement.

According to Grethe Peterson, CEO of Amplify Change, “Investing in youth-led movements is not charity—it’s strategy. Their creativity, networks, and resilience are essential to achieving global SRHR goals.”

Anna Page, Programme Manager at Rutgers, emphasized the event’s key message: “When we invest in youth leadership, we invest in sustainable, inclusive futures for all.”