Officials from various countries convened for a side event focused on empowering youth in Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and Inclusive Leadership, ahead of the upcoming Summit for the Future, co-hosted by Namibia and Germany,.

The panel discussion, themed "Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future: Ensuring SRHR and Inclusive Governance," aligns with one of the five pillars of the Summit for the Future that will be adopted by participating countries.

Discussions centred on the importance of sexual and reproductive health, the interconnectedness of education, and the significant role technology plays in advancing SRHR.

The panel also highlighted how young people can engage in decision-making processes that affect their lives.

The Deputy Minister of Sports, Youth, and National Services, Emma Kantema-Gaomas, spoke about the government's initiatives in promoting SRHR.

She highlighted the establishment of youth-friendly clinics across eight regions.

Former First Lady and Chairperson of the One Economy Foundation, Monica Geingos, shared insights from her experience in the role. 

She discussed how her office, despite having considerable influence, faced resource limitations. Geingos emphasised the programmes initiated in partnership with organisations like UNFPA and the private sector, which have created a campus that serves as a vital centre for SRH education and support for youth in Namibia.

Geingos urged governments to manage fertility rates with the same attention they give to economic growth.

Be Free Ambassador Rivaldo Kavanga highlighted the troubling statistic of teenage pregnancies.

The panel also discussed leveraging social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok to raise awareness about SRHR. It was emphasised that the cost of inaction on SRHR is staggering, amounting to an estimated US$10 trillion globally.

The event underscored the crucial role of youth engagement in shaping policies that ensure a sustainable and equitable future for all.