Amid the 37 years celebrations of the Centre for the Study of Adolescence in advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for young people in Kenya, a reality message of shrinking donor funding for youth-led and grassroots SRHR initiatives echoed.
Speakers noted that global financing for adolescent and youth health has declined, even as the challenges young people face from unsafe abortions and mental health struggles to the impacts of climate change keep growing.
CSA Kenya, Executive Director, Humphres Evelia underscored that while policy gains have been achieved, sustaining the momentum will require new models of local investment and accountability.
“This milestone reminds us that we cannot celebrate progress without securing its future,” he said.
Haki Kazungu,a youth advocate from Kilifi county called on the government and the private sector actors to step in where international donors have pulled back.
The symposium culminated in the adoption of the Youth Futures Declaration 2030, a youth-authored advocacy agenda outlining priorities for inclusive SRHR systems and long-term sustainability.
The declaration, co-signed by youth and policymakers, signaled a renewed push to keep adolescent health at the center of Kenya’s development agenda.
