On 18 June 2025, the Youth End Period Poverty Movement (YEPPM) joined young leaders and civil society at the Day of the African Child Dialogue, hosted by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation. Serving as a platform to amplify the voices, struggles, and dreams of young people across Africa, the dialogue centred on youth-led change, resilience, and the urgent need to co-create solutions for the continent’s future.
Representing the movement, Washington Mumbamarwo delivered a critical intervention exploring the intersection of bodily autonomy and mental health. Speaking to the theme of personal and societal wellness, Washington highlighted how the ability of young people, particularly young women and girls, to make informed decisions about their own bodies is fundamental to broader mental health and community resilience.
The conversation opened with reflections on the evolution of youth activism. Stacey Fru, founder of the Stacey Fru Foundation, noted that today’s movements are defined by creativity and digital innovation, declaring powerfully that "youth are not just the future; they are the present." This was reinforced by Rosevitha Ndumbu (IPPR Namibia & YALI Alumna), who spoke to the historical resistance of African youth against exclusion, emphasising the frustration of having "futures shaped without them".
Closing the session, communications specialist Darla Rudakubana called on young people to harness storytelling as a tool for solidarity, urging them to connect movements and amplify impact across borders. The dialogue reaffirmed that young people across Africa are not waiting for invitations, they are building their own tables. For the Youth End Period Poverty Movement, this platform was an opportunity to ensure that bodily autonomy is recognised as a cornerstone of justice, mental health, and sustainable development. We remain committed to showing up, speaking out, and shaping the Africa we want to see.
