African Union Youth Program

"We must move beyond awareness and transition into concrete, targeted action by accelerating public and private investments in school WASH infrastructure and championing youth-led green innovations." — Dr. Jihane El Gaouzi, Head of the Sustainable Environment Division (ARBE).

Delivering the keynote address during the webinar, Dr. El Gaouzi anchored technical climate-resilient water infrastructure solutions directly to the specific hygiene needs of women and girls.

We are focusing on two immediate next steps for Member States:
🔴 Framework Domestication: Encouraging intense advocacy to align national sanitation policies with gender-responsive frameworks, ensuring youth are active partners in the policy-drafting process.
🔴 Multi-Sectoral Alliances: Replicating the cross-directorate model at the national level by establishing joint task forces across gender, education, climate finance, and water resources.

🌍 Read more : https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20260528/au-drives-continental-action-menstrual-dignity-and-gender-responsive-wash

Breaking the silence on Menstrual Health Management (MHM) requires intentional, multi-level communication and the active engagement of men and boys. At our recently concluded continental webinar, panel moderator Mr. Soheyb Hadjab🇩🇿 exemplified the vital role of by leading critical conversations to dismantle societal taboos, specifically leveraging digital spaces for amplification. By utilizing digital storytelling, we are bridging the gap between technical water policies and grassroots dignity.

Our immediate next steps are focused on two strategic tracks:
🔴 Framework Domestication: Driving advocacy to align national sanitation policies with gender-responsive frameworks, ensuring youth are active partners in the policy-drafting process.
🔴 Multi-Sectoral Alliances: Replicating an interdepartmental model at the national level by establishing joint task forces across gender, education, climate finance, and water resources.

🌍 Read more about our campaign outcomes and strategic recommendations here: https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20260528/au-drives-continental-action-menstrual-dignity-and-gender-responsive-wash

Following the successful commemoration of , we are prioritizing immediate next steps to translate continental commitments into sustainable national action.

On behalf of WGYD Director Mme Prudence Ngwenya, Dr. Jeanne Flora Kayitesi delivered the opening remarks during the webinar, highlighting our immediate strategic focus on two critical pillars:

🔴 Framework Domestication: Promoting strong advocacy to align national sanitation policies with gender-responsive frameworks and ensuring that youth are active partners in the policy-drafting process.

🔴 Multi-Sectoral Alliances: Replicating the cross-directorate model at the national level by establishing joint task forces across gender, education, climate finance, and water resources.

To learn more about the outcomes and strategic recommendations 🌍, visit:

https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20260528/au-drives-continental-action-menstrual-dignity-and-gender-responsive-wash