By Steve El Sabai
The Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK) is at the forefront of continental efforts to advance adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health and rights (AYSRHR), as it prepares to host the 8th Pan African AYSRHR Scientific Conference from June 24 to 27, 2025, at the Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort in Mombasa.
Held in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the conference will bring together over 1000 delegates from more than 30 countries, including youth leaders, policymakers, civil society organizations, health experts, and development partners. Themed “Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in a World of Emerging Threats and Opportunities,” this landmark event is set to drive the continent’s most dynamic and inclusive conversations on youth health.
“RHNK is committed to creating platforms where young people can lead the charge in shaping health policies and innovations,” said Nelly Munyasia, Executive Director of RHNK. “This conference will amplify youth voices and catalyze cross-sector partnerships to tackle urgent challenges like teenage pregnancies, gender-based violence, and limited access to youth-friendly health services.”
In the lead-up to the conference, RHNK hosted a strategic Media Breakfast on May 22 at Fairview Hotel, Nairobi. The event convened media professionals and key stakeholders to emphasize the media’s vital role in shaping public discourse and promoting youth health rights across Africa. Senior health officials, including Dr Mohamed Sheikh, Director General of the National Council for Population and Development, and Dr Patrick Amoth, Director General for Health, underscored the need for sustained investment in adolescent health and called on media practitioners to help normalize reproductive health conversations and challenge harmful social norms.
This year’s four-day conference will feature an engaging mix of high-level plenaries, scientific sessions, and regional policy dialogues. Young people will take center stage through innovation showcases, intergenerational forums, and youth-led advocacy platforms. The sessions will explore urgent topics such as the impact of climate change on health systems, the rise of anti-rights movements, digital misinformation, and the unmet need for comprehensive sexuality education. These discussions aim to shape policies that empower adolescents to make informed health decisions, while aligning with Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr Edward Serem, Head of the Division of Reproductive and Maternal Health at the Ministry of Health, emphasized that awareness and prevention at the community level are key to tackling challenges such as HIV/AIDS, early marriages, unintended pregnancies, and female genital mutilation. “The time to act is now,” he said. “This conference is not just about dialogue—it is a launchpad for coordinated, evidence-based action across the continent.”
As RHNK leads the charge, the 8th Pan African Conference is poised to be a transformative gathering that will energize youth leadership, strengthen regional cooperation, and advance Africa’s health and development agenda. Media houses are strongly encouraged to participate, with full accreditation and media kits available upon request.
