On September 25-26, 2024, Medical Doctors for Choice (MDFC) participated in a pivotal two-day consultative workshop in Musanze, hosted by AfriYAN_Rwanda in partnership with UNFPA Rwanda. The event, themed “Raising Youth Voices: Unpacking the Outcomes from the ICPD30 Global Youth Dialogue,” aimed to disseminate key recommendations from the ICPD30 Global Youth Dialogue held in Cotonou, Benin, earlier this year. The workshop also sought to tailor these recommendations to Rwanda’s context and strengthen youth engagement in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) has long been a cornerstone for promoting SRHR, gender equality, and sustainable development. However, the low representation of Rwandan youth at the Global Youth Dialogue meant many young leaders and their constituencies were unfamiliar with the outcomes of the Cotonou Youth Agenda. This workshop created a critical space to bridge that gap by engaging youth leaders in meaningful dialogue and equipping them with the tools to develop actionable, localized recommendations for Rwanda.
Over two days, MDFC, alongside ICPD Youth Champions, delved into the five thematic areas of the Cotonou Youth Agenda: SRHR and well-being, gender equality, education transformation, resilience in crises, and amplifying youth voices. The discussions focused on identifying gaps in Rwanda’s progress, highlighting achievements, and proposing solutions to accelerate the ICPD Programme of Action implementation. MDFC played an integral role in fostering dialogue on youth-centered approaches to SRHR, particularly emphasizing the importance of inclusive, rights-based frameworks in healthcare systems.
One key outcome of the workshop was the drafting of tailored recommendations for multi-sectoral and inter-ministerial dialogue. These recommendations aim to inform government representatives, development partners, and stakeholders on how to prioritize youth inclusion and engagement. Participants identified areas for improvement, such as expanding access to SRHR information and services, strengthening partnerships among youth-led organizations and government institutions, and enhancing educational programs to address gender inequality and reproductive health.
MDFC also underscored the need for evidence-based analysis to tackle the root causes of SRHR challenges in Rwanda. Through participatory group discussions, youth champions collaboratively developed clear, actionable recommendations while identifying key stakeholders responsible for their implementation. This effort reflects MDFC’s commitment to ensuring that Rwandan youth are well-informed and actively involved in shaping policies and programs that affect their lives.
The ICPD30 Consultative Workshop was a significant step toward amplifying youth voices in Rwanda and aligning national efforts with the global agenda. MDFC remains dedicated to fostering youth-led advocacy, building partnerships, and advancing the transformative goals of the ICPD Programme of Action. By prioritizing youth engagement, Rwanda can continue making strides in SRHR and sustainable development, ensuring a brighter future for all.