Protecting Possibility: Advancing Adolescent Sexual Health, Mental Wellbeing, and Reproductive Justice
Adolescence is a pivotal window for shaping lifelong health and opportunity—yet across the globe, girls and young women face the intersecting challenges of poor access to sexual and reproductive health services, mental health neglect, and systemic barriers rooted in gender inequality. Tackling these issues requires integrated, youth-responsive, and justice-driven approaches.
This session will focus on the intersections of early adolescent sexual health, mental health, and reproductive justice, exploring how solutions like sustainable period products, youth-led community programming, male involvement, and behavioral change interventions can create ripple effects—keeping girls in school, reducing unintended pregnancies and HIV risk, and improving lifelong outcomes. It will also examine the broader systems change needed, including how to ensure health equity, respond to the global rollback of reproductive rights, and support open dialogue between funders and implementers to manage risk and build long-term, inclusive solutions.
Key Questions:
How can adolescent-centered health programming better integrate mental wellbeing, SRHR, and family planning?
What role do sustainable period products play in improving health, education, and economic outcomes for girls?
How can we ensure girls and young women are not marginalized in health systems—especially in the face of chronic disease and crisis?
What is the "triple threat" of HIV, unintended pregnancy, and gender-based violence—and how do we prevent it through coordinated strategies?
How can climate, reproductive justice, and youth inclusion be addressed holistically in funding and program design?
What does a trust-based, transparent relationship between funders and implementers look like in this space?
This session brings together practitioners, advocates, funders, and youth leaders to advance a bold, intersectional agenda for girls’ health, rights, and future potential.
Session Co-Leaders:
Bonnie Ruder is Executive Director of Terrewode Women’s Fund, working to end obstetric fistula and advance reproductive health equity in Uganda.
Georgia Arnold is CEO and Founder of GA-Agency, creating impactful storytelling campaigns to shift social norms around health and gender equality.
Heather White is Executive Director at TogetHER for Health, advocating globally to eliminate cervical cancer through health systems strengthening.
Humphrey Nabimanya is Founder and CEO of Reach A Hand Uganda, leading youth-centered programming around health, rights, and empowerment.
Jade Maina is Executive Director at TICAH, driving policy and education initiatives for sexual and reproductive health and rights in Kenya.
Klau Chmielowska is Executive Director at Lafiya Nigeria, working to expand family planning access and improve maternal health outcomes.
Reimi Pieters is Assistant Programme Manager at the Vitol Foundation, supporting gender and health initiatives across global contexts.
Sarah Jeffery is Head of Health Portfolio at the Vitol Foundation, fostering cross-sector partnerships to improve primary healthcare.
Tia Jeewa is Chief External Relations Officer at Tiko, championing bold girl-centered innovations across sub-Saharan Africa.