Data to Action: Why the SDGs Are a Youth Priority

Jim emphasised that investing in adolescents, particularly girls, is both the right thing and the smart thing to do to advance the global development agenda. Noting that the Population Council has built the world’s largest body of evidence to enable young people to reach their full potential, he emphasised that “adolescent girls are not a homogeneous group… they need tailored approaches to meet their complex needs.”

Karin Nilsson, Executive Director of SheDecides and moderator of the event, highlighted the critical role of evidence-based action in the current environment: “We often hear that the opposition is powerful and well organised, but so are we. And we have a wealth of knowledge, expertise and power within our pro-choice movement. Research and data provide the critical evidence we need to counter the anti rights, anti gender and the anti science community, by pointing to the facts – particularly when it comes to SRHR.” 

The Urgency of Now: Youth at the Midpoint of the 2030 Agenda

Nina Brandt, Chief of Partnerships, Advocacy & Communications at the UN Youth Office, set the context. She framed the stark reality of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that we are already past the halfway point to 2030 and progress is off track on over 80% of targets: “Inequalities are widening. Young people, women and girls, and marginalised communities are among those left furthest behind.” 

Yet, Nina emphasised that young people are not waiting for permission; they are actively stepping up as first responders, peacebuilders, and innovators in crisis zones around the world.

SRHR: The Non-Negotiable Link

Nina’s key message was clear: “How can we achieve gender equality without ensuring access to sexual and reproductive rights for young people? How can young girls get the education they deserve if they don’t have access to comprehensive health and decision making power over their own bodies?”

Youth SRHR: The Foundation of Future Success

The session then heard from youth leader Hanna Mulugeta (Youth Country Coordinator for Right Here Right Now Ethiopia), who grounded the discussion in the real-world impact of these policies.

Hanna stressed that this work isn’t just about abstract goals; it’s about “power, dignity, and freedom to shape one’s own life.”

Hannah laid out how SRHR is the backbone of the entire 2030 Agenda, making it clear that failure in SRHR leads to failure across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

“Without SRHR, poverty reduction stalls (SDG 1).
Without SRHR, gender equality fails (SDG 5).
Without SRHR, economies weaken (SDG 8).
Without SRHR, justice is denied (SDG 16).”

Data for Action

Evalin Karijo, Associate Director of Policy, Partnerships and Engagement at  the Population Council’s GIRL Center, led the deep dive into how to use data to spur action. She stressed that adolescent girls experience life differently than boys, citing evidence from Malawi where 40% of girls experienced three major life events (leaving school, sexual initiation, and getting married) during adolescence, compared to just 4% of boys.

Evalin also emphasised the danger of relying only on aggregate data: In some studies, 40% of girls are not in education, employment, or training, versus only 10% of boys. She also gave an example in Kenya – where the national teenage pregnancy rate might be 15%, but sub-national data shows some counties reporting rates as high as 50%—one in every two girls.

Her takeaway was clear: “We need to meet girls where they are… Global or national data is not enough; we must look at sub-national and community contexts to create effective, smart, and localised investments.”

Time to Accelerate

Evalin wrapped up the session with a united call: we have the data, we know the priorities, and we understand the urgency. To advance SRHR and achieve the SDGs, we need to remember:

• Girls’ Lives are Multifaceted: Use a gender lens in all planning and investment.
• Context Matters: Always look at data beyond the aggregates and consider local realities.
• Use a Whole Systems Approach: Tackle these interconnected issues holistically.

The Masterclass underscored the urgency of achieving the SDGs, as the goals are deeply intertwined with the health and well-being of young people. With only a few years left until the 2030 deadline, there’s a real need to move from promises and turn data into real-world action, and deliver on the future young people want and deserve.