SHE SOARS

2024 Wrapped: Trends and highlights in the Sexual and Reproductive Health space

• CARE Canada • Season 3 • Episode 5

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Youth Champions, Shreya and new host Olivia, reflect on trends and key issues in the Sexual and Reproductive Health space in 2024, and their own journeys into advocacy. The hosts discuss moments that impacted them, including concerns around menstrual product safety, and highlights from the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) on the SHE SOARS* project in Kenya, Uganda and Zambia. Hear stories from YAB members, Maryner, Gloria and Derrick about youth leading change and starting small businesses to support their Sexual and Reproductive Health needs and empower their communities. The episode concludes with tips for young changemakers on being your authentic self, goal-setting and self-care in the new year. 

*SHE SOARS, funded by Global Affairs Canada, is the Sexual and reproductive Health and Economic empowerment Supporting Out-of-school Adolescent girls’ Rights and Skills project. Learn more at: https://care.ca/shesoarsproject

Episode transcripts are available in French and English at: care.ca/shesoars.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the SHE SOARS podcast are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, standards and policies of CARE Canada. The SHE SOARS podcast is a youth-led initiative that provides space for young people to discuss global Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights with the purpose of raising awareness in Canada. Listeners acknowledge that the material and information presented in the podcast are for informational purposes only and do not constitute advice or services. The podcast is for private, non-commercial use and speakers do not necessarily reflect any organization they work for.

[00:00:00] Paniz: Hi, and welcome to SHE SOARS. Her voice. Her rights. 

[00:00:05] Jacqueline: We are CARE Canada's Youth Champions, a group of young people across Canada who are passionate advocates for Sexual and Reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

[00:00:13] Paniz: We're excited to discuss and raise awareness about young women's rights and choices in Kenya, Uganda and Zambia. ​

[00:00:18] Jacqueline: Together, we will explore how these global issues connect to our lives as Canadian youth and discover ways in which we can all take action. 

[00:00:26] Paniz: We will also talk about the SHE SOARS project, which improves access to health and education, which are areas we want to see change in. Join us!

[00:00:37] Shreya: Hi everyone and welcome to the SHE SOARS podcast. We are the Youth Public Engagement Champions (YPEC) and we're a group of youth from all across Canada who are advocating for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Today, we have myself, Shreya, and my co-host, Olivia, hosting on all things SHE SOARS, talking about our year in review and some youth advocacy tips and self-care. I'm so excited to introduce Olivia.

[00:01:03] Olivia: Hi, Shreya. Thank you so much. 

[00:01:05] Shreya: So Olivia, I'd love to hear more about how you got involved with YPEC and the SRHR space.

[00:01:12] Olivia: Yeah, so I'm a fourth year student at Bishops University in psychology and political science with a minor in gender studies, and I was very involved in our student union on campus and started projects such as the menstrual equity project. I had some a conversations with my peers that really prompted my engagement in the sexual and reproductive health space and leaving the student union and continuing to work in this space, I knew I really wanted to be part of a group and work with young Canadians around sexual and reproductive health. So that's where I got involved with YPEC and wanted to expand outside of my experiences that I have had at university.

[00:01:49] And another area as well for me is working on the sexual culture committee that advocates for a positive sexual culture and against sexual violence. Through those experiences and organizing Take Back the Night events and open community conversations, it really spearheaded my involvement.

[00:02:08] Shreya, what was your story and how did you get involved in the sexual and reproductive health environment and what prompted you to become a part of YPEC?

[00:02:17] Shreya: I think my journey started with my diagnosis with PCOS, which is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. When I got diagnosed, I was in 12th grade and about to go off to university and I decided to study environment resources and sustainability at the University of Waterloo, minoring in entrepreneurship, because I wanted to come up with entrepreneurial solutions to the different social justice issues that exist in the world. Through that whole process, I learned a lot about women's health and equity in that space.

[00:02:46] I wanted to see how I could better advocate for women, especially raising awareness for these sorts of conditions that cause hormonal imbalances and a lot of other really difficult symptoms for youth to deal with and have to go through. So I wanted to get involved with YPEC so that I could help facilitate those conversations.

[00:03:07] Olivia: Awesome, thank you.

[00:03:09] Shreya: I want to wish all of our listeners a very Happy New Year, and I want to take a moment to reflect on all of the things that the YPEC cohort did in 2024 because we had some big milestones. We went to WickFest, which was hosted in Calgary, where we had a couple YPEC members facilitate conversations about body image with young girls in sports.

[00:03:28] We had the Day of the Girl reel and we collaborated with our Youth Advisory Board to describe why Day of the Girl is important. And we had several social media posts on a ton of different SRHR topics such as gender-based violence.

[00:03:41] Olivia: As well through 2024, we saw a lot of different trends and current topics pop up around sexual health throughout the year. So a big one that I saw a lot in the summer was there was a lot of media coverage and news articles about tampons and menstrual products being toxic. And this was actually very interesting for me to see because working on the menstrual equity project with students over the two years prior, something that I was telling students is that my big thing when it comes to sexual and reproductive health is that I want every person to be able to make educated decisions about their body.

[00:04:12] I have no personal interest in what decision that is, but as long as you're aware of all your options and you're making informed and consent-based decisions, that makes me happy. And that is really my goal in this field of work. So I was explaining to a lot of students there are some studies that tampons and menstrual products can be toxic.

[00:04:30] So when those reports started coming out, I was really surprised to see how many people were like, "Wow, I've never heard of this before." And I was like, wow, that was a learning curve for me as well. Also a lot of people moved away from those products, which for me highlights the importance of being able to make informed decisions because so many people are making those decisions out of fear instead of education-based. So that saddened me a little bit, but I was glad that we were able to have those conversations and that people will be made aware. Some other things that I saw throughout the year and some trends were instead of calling people out, it's calling people into the conversations. So I saw some influencers in the sexual and reproductive health world posting videos about how when people have made mistakes or if there is something that is creating harm in the community to sit down and try to take the time to educate and have those impactful conversations about how to create change instead of immediately going, ‘You're wrong. We shouldn't do this.’

[00:05:24] Because then that leads to more stigma and more fear for the person, all sorts of different things. So I really liked that trend of calling people into the conversation instead of calling people out. 

[00:05:34] And I definitely saw a lot of growth in that in terms of consent culture. Over the past decade, consent culture has really become a top priority and a lot of people are finally having these really fundamental conversations. So to see that kind of growth in calling people into those conversations also made me really happy because we can't change and we can't learn to do better until we have those conversations. So that was really great to see as well.

[00:06:01] Shreya: I also saw a very big uproar about the pads and tampons being toxic. I think that it started a really important dialogue amongst youth in our communities. I saw impact all across North America and in localized communities in Canada. I think that was a really pivotal point to having conversations about female health and the sort of impacts that certain industries are having on us. I feel like it was a time where people were bonding and banding together to solve these sorts of problems to advocate for them and people are really taking control of their health.

[00:06:33] Olivia: Yeah, I agree. I think for me and a lot of people, because it's a field that we work in year-round, for that to be a really pivotal moment for people to really start tuning into these conversations was super impactful. And it really highlighted the fact that there is a lack of studies and research around these topics.

[00:06:51] So when they are coming out, it's top news. I know a lot of people were like, "Haven't we known this for a long time?" It's like, no, it's still a bit of a cutting edge topic. So these things are just coming out. But I do agree that it was really important to start those conversations for a lot of people.

[00:07:06] Shreya: I also like to highlight how social media has played a big role. I’ve seen that with platforms like TikTok and Instagram, there is so much more community being built, especially when these sorts of articles hit the news and these conversations are happening. I appreciate how connected people are able to be, and how informed they're able to be by following different activists, following CARE’s platform and engaging with these sort of topics.

[00:07:33] I think this year was really big for that. I saw so much content that had millions of views, millions of shares, which is really motivating that this work is now being recognized and people are taking ownership of their health and their knowledge. I think that was another really important thing that has been happening this year is the community-building and knowledge-sharing.

[00:07:53] Olivia: Yeah, the community-building on social media has really changed the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. I think for a lot of people who are in smaller communities it can be tricky to find that community where you can have those open conversations because it is still something that is labeled taboo and is stigmatized for a lot of people.

[00:08:10] So to be able to find that online community, or I've seen some people call it their online family in this space, to share their ideas and work together, it's just really heartwarming.

[00:08:19] Shreya: And I think that with the social media uproar, it's also an impact that we're seeing globally, which is very important in the work that we're doing, advocacy in Canada as well as in Africa and the countries that we work in.

[00:08:33] Olivia: Yeah, making sure that the conversation is globalized and getting to see other perspectives online from countries and communities that you otherwise wouldn't be able to hear their experiences. There are so many times where Canadian youth and youth in America think that the issues related to sexual and reproductive health are so unique to what they're experiencing. And it can really feel like an individual kind of topic when it's far from the truth and people all over the globe are experiencing similar things.

[00:09:04] Shreya: Exactly. 

[00:09:06] Olivia: Throughout 2024, YPEC worked on various projects alongside the YAB, Youth Advisory Board, located in Zambia, Uganda and Kenya. The YAB advises on projects locally, they present updates at partner meetings, attend workshops, and work to make sure that all the initiatives that are happening in our partner countries are youth-focused and youth-driven. 

[00:09:27] Shreya: We thought it would be fun to partner with some of the members of the Youth Advisory Board so you will have a chance to hear from them about the work they're doing and why they're interested in sexual and reproductive health and advocating for that in their community.

[00:09:40] Olivia: This clip is a member from the Youth Advisory Board in Zambia, Maryner.

[00:09:44] Hi, good people. My name is Maryner Lungu, the Youth Advisory Board member for the SHE SOARS project in Zambia. Sexual and reproductive health and rights to me are vital for empowering young people, especially girls, to make informed decisions about their health and future. Through the SHE SOARS project, we have been creating safe spaces, raising awareness, and providing adequate information to meet Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and needs in our rural communities.

[00:10:13] This past year has been inspiring. We have seen young people confidently advocate for their rights, engage in powerful activities, and spark life-changing conversations. For me, one highlight was how I actively participated in training, whose main objective was to identify and challenge negative social and gender norms that prevent young people from enjoying their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

[00:10:38] I would say it was a success. This training gave youth an active voice and provided a platform for intergenerational dialogue. Both parents and youth have access to the same information and young women are now being supported to access contraceptives without any challenges. Moments like these show how investing in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights builds stronger, healthier communities. And together, as the SHE SOARS project, we're making a real difference and the best is yet to come.

[00:11:09] Shreya: Thank you so much for telling us about all the awesome work you're doing, Maryner. 

[00:11:13] One of the key pillars of the SHE SOARS project is the YSLAs, which are Youth Savings and Loan Associations. Youth learn about financial planning, management skills, entrepreneurship, and other economic and life skills that help serve them now and in the future. When we have young people who are involved in this program, they receive training, they develop financial literacy skills, and then they work together to save and loan money amongst members.

[00:11:40] This is a really interesting project because we have seen many young women start their own businesses while participating in the YSLAs, and that's helped increase their financial opportunities and decision-making power to have ownership over their lives. So an example is income-generating activities such as jewellery-making, clothing design, tailoring and small retail shops. Young mothers can actually access products and services that they need to support their health and that of their children.

[00:12:07] And this helps incredibly with the positive impacts that they have on their bodies, their lives, their families and the communities. They can take ownership of their sexual and reproductive health.

[00:12:18] Olivia: Next we have two YAB members, Gloria and Derrick, talking about the impact of the YSLAs.

[00:12:24] My name is Gloria from the YAB Kenya. I'm sharing a key highlight for the year 2024, a success story from one of the project participants in Kajiado County. She has been part of the YSLA. Through this group she was able to secure a loan and the loan enabled her to purchase a donkey and some jerrycans.

[00:12:45] These have enabled her to supply fresh drinking water to the community for a fee. She had made a market assessment and identified that the community needed safe water so she started distributing the safe water. With the income she has been generating from the business venture, she has been able to meet her Sexual and Reproductive Health and Right needs such as buying menstrual products. She has also been able to take care of her baby.

[00:13:11] The project has empowered her not only to make informed financial decisions but also to take control of her reproductive health choices.

[00:13:19] My name is Atiki Derrick from YAB team Uganda. I had the privilege of participating in an activity in Arua City, supported by Naguru Teenage Centre, where a project participant shared her inspiring success story about the SHE SOARS project. She learned about menstrual pad making, which was introduced by CARE Uganda in the SHE SOARS girls’ groups.

[00:13:40] With this information, she was able to make reusable pads and sell them to the girls in the community so that she can get money to help her and her baby. Later, she joined the YSLA savings groups where she got more information on savings and income-generating activities. She was able to get a loan from the group that helped her expand her business, where she was able to supply pads in the whole area.

[00:14:02] With all of this, she was empowered, sent her baby to school, and even become a self-reliant adolescent mother changing her life.

[00:14:10] Shreya: Thank you so much, Gloria and Derrick. It's so incredible to hear about the success of the SHE SOARS project and the YSLAs and how that has been able to influence the community and help people be empowered to take control of their own lives. We appreciate you coming on and sharing some of your insights.

[00:14:29] Olivia: It really re-emphasizes the importance that economic empowerment and education has in the sexual and reproductive health world.

[00:14:38] Shreya: So keeping with the theme of this being a new year and empowerment, we wanted to help you set up for your new changemaking eras. If you are a beginner changemaker or a well-seasoned one, we wanted to leave you with some tips on how to goal-set and take care of yourself in the upcoming year, because we have a lot of big conversations to be had. We want to make sure that all of our changemakers know how to take care of themselves and how to have the best impact they can.

[00:15:04] Olivia: Yeah, so the first tip we wanted to share with you is visualization, something that I have personally really enjoyed and that I find useful. There can be times where there are so many things that I'm like, this needs help or this needs work or different areas where I'm like, I wish I was helping more in that space.

[00:15:22] So something that I found helpful was having a vision board that is really intentional and personal in that changemaking zone. So having images and ideas of things that you want to accomplish throughout the year or areas you want to work in. That is something that I have found super fun and helpful. Then I also have written down what those images represent and what succeeding in that would look like just to be able to visualize what I want to get done so I don't get overwhelmed with all the different pieces and all the different things that are going on.

[00:15:51] Shreya: I personally love a good vision board. I feel like it helps me every day to see what exactly I'm working towards, like you said, but also helps me realize that those things are very attainable for myself. It gives me the opportunity to reflect and think about how to achieve those goals.

[00:16:08] I totally agree and think that a vision board is really important to help you see what life that you're going to have and help get that plan into motion. So yeah, that's an excellent tip.

[00:16:20] Olivia: Yeah, something that I love as well about vision boards is just that you can put so many different things and what you want to accomplish. And a small win is still a win. So it just really helps to make sure that you can feel proud of what you're working on. 

[00:16:35] Shreya: One thing that’s important on your changemaking journey is to be your most authentic self. So I try not to prioritize being palatable to everyone.

[00:16:44] One part of the changemaking process is being a disruptor and having conversations that need to be had, whether or not the communities that you might be in like to hear it because that is all part of the process It's advocating for what you believe in and being authentic to yourself and making sure that you stand up for what is right.

[00:17:02] While I am incredibly passionate about SRHR, I want to be talking about that and having conversations that feel personal to me and important to me. So it's really important to be yourself and showcase your personality.

[00:17:17] Olivia: I completely agree. That's something that I've really tried to work on in the past and it's still something I struggle with but love to work on. I love the quote that your superpower is to be yourself because we're all different and we all have different talents and passions. Showing up and being your true authentic self is amazing and it should be celebrated. I think a lot of times it can be tricky when you're trying to break into those spaces, you feel like you have to act a certain way or be professional and meet these imaginary standards that people have set, but that's not the case. It takes a lot of courage and a lot of strength, but showing up and being yourself is amazing.

[00:17:53] Shreya: I agree with that. I feel like that's where the importance of self-care comes. Do you have any tips for anyone who might be a little bit overwhelmed when it comes to their changemaking journey?

[00:18:05] Olivia: Absolutely. So my number one tip, and I have told this to my friends and my peers at school when they're like, “Oh, Liv, you're working on this and how do you manage everything? Or how do you take care of all these different things that are going on?” It’s that taking breaks is okay. And I know you've probably heard that before, but I always say, “If Liv isn't doing well, then nothing else can happen.”

[00:18:27] I have to come first. And well, you have to put yourself first. I don't have to come first for you. But I used to never take breaks, and I would feel really guilty when I did [thinking] I should be working on this. But you have to reframe your mindset that taking breaks helps you recharge and it helps you focus on what's important. And yeah, like I said, it has to be your priority to make all the other change happen.

[00:18:51] Shreya: I agree. I think it's impossible to pour out of an empty cup. So I think the concept of rest is incredibly important and making sure that you're getting all different types of rest, whether that be physically or whether that be emotionally. It's really important to make space for that and make time for that just like you would any other obligation because the most important obligation is the one that you have to yourself.

[00:19:14] Olivia: Absolutely. 

[00:19:16] Shreya: So after all of these conversations about leadership, self-care and some of the milestones that we've had this year, there is still a lot of work to be done in the sexual and reproductive health space that still needs attention and especially youth voices. So it's incredibly important that this year we set some goals around what we want to get involved in and how to support yourself. That way we can make sure that we're all collectively taking care of ourselves and are happy and healthy in order to channel all of our energy into advocating for global voices around the world. 

[00:19:53] Olivia: Yeah, we've seen a lot of different topics pop up over 2024 and I personally am excited to see what these conversations look like in 2025. The Youth Public Engagement Champions are very excited to see what our listeners and what our community is thinking of.

[00:20:08] So if you have topics or issues related to sexual and reproductive health that you want to hear and bring to the conversation, please make sure to comment on our Instagram and let us know so we can bring these to the podcast and our social media so we can engage more youth and start the conversation. 

[00:20:24] Shreya: For an upcoming activity, we have sprinkled some keywords into our episodes this season, so this episode’s keyword is ‘2025.’ 

[00:20:32] Olivia: Stay tuned for more updates from the Youth Public Engagement Champions by following us on Instagram @CARECanada. Follow the SHE SOARS podcast on your favorite podcasting app so you don't miss any upcoming episodes.

[00:20:44] Shreya: Thank you so much for listening along today. Bye!

[00:20:46] Olivia: Bye!

[00:20:47] Jacqueline: Thanks for listening to SHE SOARS. If you liked this episode, please share it on social media, connect with us in the comments or give us a like.

[00:20:55] Paniz: Make sure to catch our next episode by subscribing to our channel and following us wherever you get your podcasts.

[00:21:01] Jacqueline: Follow @CARECanada on Instagram for updates on our show and the project.

[00:21:06] Paniz: SHE SOARS stands for Sexual and reproductive Health and Economic empowerment, Supporting Out-of-school Adolescent girls’ Rights and Skills in Kenya, Uganda and Zambia.

[00:21:16] Jacqueline: The project is funded by Global Affairs Canada. Check out our global partner organizations: The Center for Reproductive Rights and Restless Development for even more project updates. 

[00:21:25] Paniz: Thanks again for listening. Until next time!