Youth Voices, Real Power

Last month, we had the honor of participating in the AVPN side event, EMpower MYE Breakfast, where we engaged with peers on how to genuinely provide youth-oriented services.

To truly be youth-oriented, we must build safe spaces and respect young people’s autonomy. Drawing on years of experience, our work has grown from supporting young women sex workers to engaging young women more broadly. We know they want to be heard—especially those who have experienced trauma. This commitment drives us to create safe, open spaces where they can discuss everything related to sexual health and intimate relationships without fear of judgment. We still remember a workshop where a young woman courageously shared a long-suppressed experience of sexual violence. That moment of trust reaffirmed our belief that safe spaces are essential for healing and growth.

We also believe that truly effective empowerment starts with respecting and trusting young people’s autonomy. Therefore, in promoting activities, designing workshops, developing content for our Sexuality Hub website, and producing podcasts, we invite young women to participate actively. They are not just service users; they have become partners who work alongside us to advocate for sexual and reproductive rights.