The United Nations Population Fund enables young voices with a new panel.

Youth voices are imperative in decision-making and development, therefore, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has launched a Youth Advisory Panel workshop (YAP) at the UN House recently.


The UNFPA selected two young people from each of the 14 regions in Namibia with an equal male-to-female ratio to attend the event. The Youth Advisory Panel aims to involve young people in the decision-making process that concerns the youth. “It's very important to bring young people to the table, to involve them in these processes that are responsive to their needs,” said Kakuna Venokulavo, a facilitator, at the induction. This endeavor aligns perfectly with the principles of the United Nations Population Fund, which are to create a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is delivered safely, and every young person’s true potential is fulfilled.


At the workshop, key issues faced by the youth face, such as sexual health and hygiene, teenage pregnancies, youth unemployment and gender based violence were discussed. Speaking at the induction, youth activist and member of Parliament Hon. Sharonice Busch underscored the importance of youth voices in youth related matters, “ No decision and no policy should be designed without the involvement and engagement by the young people themselves,” said Busch.


The United Nations Population Fund will be working closely with the Youth Advisory Fund (YAP) in collaboration with various partnerships like the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, on the One Economy Foundation (ONE), the Ministry of Health and Social Services, on the Society for Family Health (SFH), the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, on the Regain Trust (RT) and Women’s Action for Development (WAD). “Inclusive youth engagement in policy making is not only optional but imperative,” added Busch. In this three-day workshop, the UNFPA aims to orient the youth on the UNFPA work and different youth commitments to enable them with the skills and knowledge needed to discuss and engage in matters that concern sustainable development.