Mosepele Foundation Development Forum

HER Voice FundAUDA-NEPAD walk on harnessing Africa's Demographic Dividend through SRH begins in Zambia's Capital, Lusaka

Date: 8-10 April 2026
Report by Matseliso Mokitimi

At a defining moment in Africa’s development journey, the First Continental Conference for Non-State Actors on the Demographic Dividend and Reproductive Health—convened by African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) in Lusaka—brought together over 200 changemakers in a bold and action-oriented convening designed to move beyond dialogue into impact. The conference served as a strategic platform for governments, civil society, youth-led movements, and development partners to align efforts, share evidence, and co-create solutions that accelerate the realization of Africa’s demographic dividend, with a strong emphasis on advancing reproductive health and rights.

Among them was Mokitimi, Her Voice Fund Project Manager at MFDF and a youth representative, contributing to critical conversations shaping the future of reproductive health and gender equality across the continent.

Positioned at the intersection of advocacy and accountability, her participation highlighted the essential role of community-led monitoring in ensuring that policies and commitments translate into real, accessible services—especially for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), who continue to face disproportionate barriers in s*xual and reproductive health.

Taking the stage as a Women’s Movements Representative, she emphasized a powerful reality:
Women-led and youth-led organizations are not just supporting systems—they are driving them. From grassroots advocacy to influencing national and continental frameworks, these movements are reshaping how health systems respond to the needs of communities. Yet, sustainable impact requires more than recognition—it demands investment, coordination, and accountability...

HER VOICE FUND