The SheDecides Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) is a dedicated youth-owned space in the SheDecides movement, made up of representatives from different SheDecides youth Champions.
The SheDecides YAP plays a crucial role in providing guidance to strengthen meaningful and inclusive youth participation at SheDecides.
In particular the YAP will shape SheDecides activities in 2024 that will centre and advance the sexual and reproductive health and rights of young people worldwide.
The Panelists
Abbey Gilchrist
CHOICE for youth and sexuality
Ian Makamara
International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)
Marian Abukayo
Murunga, Youth Coalition
Sonali Silva
SheDecides Guiding Group Co-Chair
Yahan Xu
International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA)
Plan International
Representative TBC
About the
Youth Advisory Panel.
SheDecides is a political movement that brings together diverse organizations and leaders who are committed to the same goal: a world where SheDecides.
Despite best intentions, when diverse intergenerational groups come together, often young people and young voices can still be left on the sidelines.
We recognize the importance of creating dedicated spaces that centre the voices and views of youth action.
Throughout 2024, the YAP will meet 4 times a year to provide advice, input, and recommendations on:
- SheDecides campaign and messaging on youth sexual and reproductive health and rights
- Youth spotlight initiatives such as interviews, blogs, social media features linked to International Youth Day and International Safe Abortion Day.
- Shaping the terms of reference for an external youth consultant to evaluate SheDecides' youth work at the end of 2024.
- Participate in the evaluation of SheDecides' youth work conducted by an external youth consultant at the end of 2024.
- Advice on enhancing meaningful youth engagement, aligning with SheDecides' Youth Engagement Strategy commitments.
Youth Accountability Panel 2022-2024
With thanks to the inaugural Youth Accountability Panel 2021-2023, who concluded their mandate in November and recommended the creation of a ‘lighter’ youth advisory function at SheDecides. This recommendation is reflected in the setup of the newly created Youth Advisory Panel.
Learn more about SheDecides inaugural Youth Accountability Panel.
Read their End of Mandate Report
The SheDecides Youth Engagement Strategy
We have a deliberate approach led by the Youth Engagement Strategy (YES) to meet young people, in all their diversities, where they are. It has ten pledges which the movement commits to making a reality for meaningful youth engagement, participation and accountability. The Youth Accountability Panel is the body that ensures we're on track with these pledges.
Find out more about the SheDecides Youth Engagement Strategy here
YES to being a spark
YES to harnessing energies
YES to amplifying
YES to making visible
YES to pulling each other up
And keeping ourselves in check
YES to talking/working/organizing/mobilizing
Not for or to, but with
YES to giving credit where itʼs due
YES to seeing young people - in all their diversities
YES to equally valuing young peopleʼs time,
energy, efforts and work
YES to respect
YES to leading from behind
YES to intergenerational learnings and collabos
YES to nurturing, sustaining connections
YES to expanding the room(s)
YES to creating space
YES to taking a stand, collectively
And when necessary, taking a seat's
YES to big dreams
YES to pushing boundaries
YES to rewriting the rules
YES to co-imagining
YES to co-creating
YES to moving forward
YES to reaching upward
YES to going further
Together
Towards a world that is better,
stronger, safer