Our Impact

In Their Words

YOUNG LEADER SPOTLIGHTS

Young Leaders are leading today, creating the reality of tomorrow.

In Trinidad and Tobago, Ashlee Burnett (Class of 2020), founder of Feminitt Caribbean, advocated for the implementation of Trinidad and Tobago’s National Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy at the community level in hopes of reducing the rates of teenage pregnancy, sexual violence, and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and infections. As a result of Ashlee’s advocacy, the Councilor for Local Government pledged to support further engagement and interventions to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the community.

Additionally, through The Right Way project, Ashlee and her team led a series of workshops to equip members of Buenos Ayres, a local village, with the tools and resources needed to understand the policy, barriers to SRHR, and comprehensive sexuality education. Thirty-three participants, including adolescents and their parents, completed the program.

In Canada, Aditi Sivakumar (Class of 2020) improved the sexual and reproductive health knowledge of refugee populations in Halifax, Canada by developing a six-minute animation regarding sexual and reproductive health (e.g., pap testing, IUD placements). The animation is available in five different languages and is now being distributed to refugee clinics across the nation. The team presented their research results on the sexual reproductive health knowledge and needs of refugee in various Global Health Newsletters, Dalhousie University Obstetrics and Gynecology Grand Rounds, and Consortium University of Global Health, and are currently working on publishing our manuscript in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Canada (JOGC).

In Indonesia, Agita Pasaribu (Class of 2020), co-founder of Bully.id, an organization committed to raising awareness and providing support to victims of digital bullying and abuse, created the first anonymous platform in Indonesia that allows for the real time reporting of online gender-based violence and harassment incidents within private businesses. Since May 2021, the platform has been used by over 25,000 private sector employees.

By the Numbers

1000 Young Leaders & Alumni representing 148 countries who are advancing gender equality in their communities and countries.

  • Icon of people in a group

    1000
    ADVOCATES

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    148
    COUNTRIES

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IN THEIR WORDS

“Prior to the program, I was a vocal advocate in a half-filled room. The Young Leaders Program has positioned me to explore my youth voice across dynamic global platforms where it matters most,”

Olaoluwa Abagun (Class of 2016), Nigeria.

Olaoluwa Abagun (Class of 2016), Nigeria, speaking into microphone

IN THEIR WORDS

“Prior to the program, I was a vocal advocate in a half-filled room. The Young Leaders Program has positioned me to explore my youth voice across dynamic global platforms where it matters most,”

Yasmine Ouirhrane (Class of 2018), France.

Yasmine Ouirhrane (Class of 2018), France

IN THEIR WORDS

“The Young Leaders Program is the reason for many firsts in my career as an advocate/activist. [It] provided me an avenue to improve how I advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights in the Philippines. It has helped keep my passion for SRHR burning.”

Anthony Lopez (Class of 2016), the Philippines.

Anthony Lopez (Class of 2016), the Philippines.