GAYO Represents Malawi at the 14th National Students Conference in Zimbabwe

From December 5th to 6th, 2024, Girls Activist Youth Organisation (GAYO) is honored to have Tracy, along with Sylvester SARSYC Country coordinator and Agnes from the Centre for Youth and Children Empowerment (CEYCE), represent Malawi at the 14th edition of the National Students Conference (NSC) in Harare, Zimbabwe. Themed Students Thriving and Achieving Results (STARs) – Transforming Health and Education Outcomes, the conference brings together students, civil society representatives, government officials, and policymakers to address the pressing issues faced by youth in Southern Africa.

The NSC, hosted by the Students and Youth Working on Reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT), is a well-established platform for discussing Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), education, and gender-based violence (GBV). Tracy from GAYO and her colleagues from CEYCE are engaging in these critical conversations, ensuring that Malawi’s youth voices are heard on this international stage.

The conference began with an Orathon, a unique event combining the advocacy against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) with a physical race. Participants from 48 tertiary institutions, including Tracy, Sylvester, and Agnes, ran to symbolize the collective responsibility of ending GBV. This impactful start set the tone for a series of discussions aimed at addressing gender-based violence and empowering young women through GAYO’s commitment to equality and justice.

Engaging in the Web for Life Symposium

Tracy participated in the Web for Life Symposium, which focused on issues affecting girls and young women in Southern Africa. The symposium emphasized the need for equitable access to Sexual and Reproductive Health services and explored the progress made since the last conference. Tracy contributed her insights, especially on the challenges that Malawian girls face, such as unsafe abortions, lack of access to SRH services, and early pregnancies.

Reflections on SRHR and Policy Advocacy

Another highlight was the SAYWHAT Research Indaba, where Sylvester and Agnes from CEYCE engaged in discussions about evidence-based SRHR approaches. The Indaba provided a platform for young researchers to present their findings on public health issues affecting youth, including mental health and drug abuse, and how these intersect with education outcomes. Tracy shared GAYO’s experience in advocating for inclusive policies that support the sexual and reproductive health of Malawi’s youth.

As the conference draws to a close, the experiences and insights gained by Tracy and her colleagues will help shape GAYO’s advocacy moving forward. GAYO remains committed to amplifying youth voices in Malawi and beyond, ensuring that the next generation of young leaders is well-equipped to tackle issues such as GBV, SRHR, and education inequality.

Through continued collaboration and engagement with regional partners, GAYO is dedicated to driving transformative change for Malawi’s youth. We look forward to sharing more updates as Tracy, Sylvester, and Agnes return to implement the lessons learned from this invaluable experience.