AHAIC 2017 Youth Pre-conference Communiqué

The Africa Health Agenda international Conference (AHAIC), Youth Conference held from the 5-6th March 2017 in Nairobi Kenya, under the theme: Towards a Healthier Africa: People, Systems and Innovations brought together young people from 11 countries in Africa to meaningfully deliberate on strategies, scientific approaches and investments made on the improvement of their health.

The Conference reviewed the 2013 Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) commitment by 23 countries, to tackle issues facing Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRHR) with a focus on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE); and the 2006 African Union, African Youth Charter 2020 and the role of the youth in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.

We the young people noted that:

• We are a majority comprising 65% of Africa’s population.
• We have unique problems including vulnerability to SRH problems, HIV infection, sexual and gender based violence including FGM, early marriage and exclusion from economic activities among others.
• There are many commitments made at national, regional and global levels on the youth to mitigate problems that youth have and ensure a better future for them. These include AU youth agenda, ESA commitments and SDGs.
• These commitments are rarely backed by action at country level. This has led to a slow process in achieving results for young people.To download full Communiqué Click Here