We aim to shift power into the hands of those closest to and living the challenges that girls face.

Our Emerging Leaders for Change Program is our newest initiative that builds on our 10-plus years partnering with young advocates and leaders. It is grounded in the belief that investing in Emerging Leaders, who are closest to their communities and the needs of adolescent girls, is critical to ensuring that solutions to the challenges in girls’ and women’s SRHR are youth-centered and address the specific needs and nuances of their local contexts. This program is also built on our 10 years of experience working with youth advocates, especially through the Young Leaders Program.

Who are Emerging Leaders?

Emerging Leaders are advocates for SRHR, aged 15-29, who are at the beginning stages of their advocacy journey. The program creates a vast movement of Emerging Leaders, Young Leader Alumni, and youth advocates dedicated to advancing and sustaining the fight for bodily autonomy. Working at national, regional, and global levels, these youth leaders will hold their governments accountable for including comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and reproductive rights, particularly for adolescent girls, within universal health coverage frameworks. They will also ensure a gender-just approach in climate adaptation measures and work alongside partners to counter anti-rights actors in global spaces.

Emerging Leaders — while unfortunately too often ignored by decision-makers and power holders — have expertise and lived experiences that are vital to achieving bodily autonomy for adolescent girls. This program aims to bring forward their voices and solutions by building their profiles so that they are recognized as experts and leaders in SRHR and are able to access decision-making roles and spaces.