In a world where the voices of youth are often marginalized, a groundbreaking event took place during the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, signifying a beacon of hope and a call to action for youth-friendly feminist funding. Organized with the partnership of CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality and Amref Health Africa under the Power to You(th) program, this side-event was not just a meeting but a confluence of ideas, inspiration, and powerful discussions aimed at reshaping the narrative around financing youth-led initiatives.
🎉 Feeling Grateful and Inspired
The air was charged with a sense of achievement and potential as participants from across the globe gathered, driven by a shared commitment to fostering an environment that supports and amplifies the voices of the youth. This event was a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration and shared vision.
🎙️ Opening with Purpose
The event opened with profound remarks from Fenna Timsi, the Dutch UN Youth Representative on Human Rights and Security. She challenged the attendees to rethink the avenues of funding youth initiatives, emphasizing the significance of investing in community care and supporting the grassroots movements that drive real change.
🌐 A Global Movement & Inspiring Voices
The panel featured six speakers who brought a wealth of diverse and critical perspectives. These discussions delved into the nuances of youth-friendly feminist funding, each narrative bringing to light the challenges and victories encountered by youth-led organizations in different corners of the world.
- From Ghana, Francis Ametepey shared a compelling story of how young people mobilized against menstrual health taxation, sparking vital conversations about the impact of funding timelines on sustainable change.
- Umme Sharmin Kabir, hailing from Bangladesh, emphasized the importance of visibility for youth-led organizations and the need to build trust with donors.
- John Nyirenda of Youth Wave Malawi discussed the delicate balance between securing funding and maintaining organizational values, pointing out the shifting power dynamics within the funding landscape.
- Deepshikha Ghosh from the YP Foundation called attention to the hurdles feminist work faces in securing funding, advocating for a collaborative rather than competitive approach among Youth-Led Organizations (YLOs).
🔍 Critical Themes Explored
The panel discussion, featuring Justin Chidozie of CHEVS in Nigeria and Chandreyi Guharay from Young Feminist Europe, focused on two pivotal themes:
- The accessibility of financing for young feminist organizations and the barriers they face.
- The dynamics of power and youth-adult partnerships, underscoring the need to decolonize philanthropy and empower youth in negotiation and partnership dialogues.
This event did more than just discuss the challenges; it provided a platform for sharing solutions, fostering understanding, and creating pathways for support. It highlighted the incredible work being done by youth around the world and underscored the critical need for funding mechanisms that understand and adapt to the unique needs of youth-led feminist work.
As we reflect on the insights and inspirations from this side-event, it’s clear that the journey ahead is both challenging and promising. The discussions have laid a foundation for future action, urging funders, policymakers, and community leaders to rethink their approaches to supporting youth-led initiatives.