Country of Residence
Kenya
Age
20
Project title
Youth for reproductive health awareness
Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence
Youth for Reproductive Health Awareness is a youth initiative that gives young people clear information about reproductive health through social media, peer education and community outreach. It will raise awareness about teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, consent and healthy relationships, while encouraging access to reliable information and youth-friendly services. The project aims to help young people make informed decisions, challenge stigma and support healthier communities.
Website URL(s) or social media handles.
Instagram: @za.yn4889 X: @zainabomarwwz2 :linked inhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/zainab-omar-61b3bb429?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_android
Project Category
My project is an existing project that I started
Project Stage
Idea (We’re hoping to get started in the future)
Founding Story: What was the spark that led you to start your project? What was the "Aha!" moment that led you to get started and see the potential for this to succeed?
My inspiration came from recognising the challenges many young people face when it comes to reproductive health. During my reproductive health training in Nairobi, I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of accurate information, education and awareness. I realised that many young people still lack access to reliable reproductive health information and may struggle to speak openly about issues such as teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, consent and healthy relationships. This experience opened my eyes to the need for more youth-friendly conversations and community education. I began to see that young people should not only be recipients of information but also active participants in creating change within their communities. I was inspired to use my voice and social media platforms to educate, encourage discussions and challenge stigma surrounding reproductive health. I believe that when young people are informed, empowered and supported, they can make better decisions about their health and future. This project is my way of contributing to a healthier, more informed and empowered generation.
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?
Many young people in our communities face challenges due to limited access to accurate and reliable reproductive health information. Issues such as teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, stigma, misinformation and lack of open conversations about consent and healthy relationships continue to affect young people's wellbeing and future opportunities. In some communities, reproductive health is still considered a difficult topic to discuss, leaving young people afraid to ask questions or seek guidance. As a result, they may make important health decisions without having the knowledge or support they need. This problem matters to me because every young person deserves the opportunity to understand their health, make informed decisions and build a healthy future. I believe that access to reproductive health education should not depend on someone's age, background or circumstances. By addressing the information gap through youth awareness, education and community engagement, I hope to help create a generation that is informed, confident and empowered to make responsible decisions.
Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.
My solution is to use youth-led reproductive health education, social media awareness and community outreach to help young people access accurate and reliable information about their health. Through platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, X and LinkedIn, I share educational content on topics including teenage pregnancy prevention, sexually transmitted infections, consent, healthy relationships and reproductive health rights. I aim to make this information simple, relatable and accessible to young people. I also participate in monthly community outreach activities where young people can engage in conversations, ask questions and learn about reproductive health in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. The project encourages peer-to-peer learning by motivating young people to share accurate information within their communities and challenge harmful myths and stigma. By combining digital awareness with direct community engagement, I hope to reach more young people, encourage informed decision-making and create an environment where reproductive health can be discussed openly and confidently.
Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?
My project is still at an early stage, but I have started making progress through reproductive health awareness and digital engagement. I have been sharing educational content on social media platforms, including Instagram, X and LinkedIn, to encourage young people to learn more about reproductive health. One encouraging achievement was receiving approximately 84 likes on my LinkedIn post about menstrual health. This showed me that people are interested in reproductive health conversations and that social media can be an effective tool for spreading awareness. As the project grows, I hope to reach more young people through consistent educational posts, community outreach and youth engagement. My goal is to increase awareness, challenge misinformation, encourage open discussions and help young people make informed decisions about their health. I would also like to measure the project's progress through social media engagement, the number of young people reached, participation in outreach activities and feedback from the community. I believe that even small steps can create meaningful change when young people are given the right information and opportunities to participate.
Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?
What makes my project different is its youth-led and accessible approach to reproductive health education. Rather than relying only on traditional awareness methods, I combine digital platforms with community outreach to reach young people in spaces where they feel comfortable engaging and learning. Through Instagram, TikTok, X and LinkedIn, I share simple, relatable and educational content that makes reproductive health information easier to understand and discuss. I also believe young people should not just receive information but should actively participate in creating awareness and influencing positive change in their communities. Another important aspect of my project is creating a safe, non-judgmental environment where young people can discuss sensitive topics, ask questions and challenge misinformation without fear of stigma. The innovation lies in connecting online awareness with real community engagement while encouraging young people to become advocates for their own health and wellbeing. My vision is to build a growing network of informed young people who can share knowledge, support one another and contribute to healthier communities.
How many people are on your team?
1
Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?
Currently, I am the founder and the only person directly leading this initiative. I am responsible for planning activities, creating awareness content, managing social media platforms and participating in community outreach. I make decisions about project activities while remaining open to feedback and new ideas. As the initiative grows, I hope to bring on board passionate young people, volunteers and reproductive health advocates who can contribute their skills, share responsibilities and suppo
What’s Next: What are the next steps you plan to take to grow or strengthen your project over the next year? If your project is still in the idea stage, describe the steps you will take over the next three months to launch or begin developing it.
Over the next year, I plan to strengthen and expand this initiative by reaching more young people through digital platforms and community engagement. My first step will be to maintain consistent reproductive health awareness posts on Instagram, TikTok, X and LinkedIn, covering different issues affecting young people. I also plan to participate in monthly community outreach activities to create opportunities for face-to-face learning, discussions and awareness. I hope to collaborate with community health workers, youth organisations, schools and other reproductive health advocates to expand the project's reach and credibility. Another important goal is to build a network of passionate young people who can participate in peer education, share accurate information and encourage positive conversations within their communities. I will monitor progress through social media engagement, outreach participation, feedback and the number of young people reached. As the project develops, I hope to identify opportunities for partnerships, mentorship and resources that will support its growth and long-term sustainability. My overall goal is to create a lasting youth-led initiative that makes reproductive health information more accessible and empowers young people to make informed decisions about their health and future.
How do you encourage other people to join your project or learn about the problem you’re working on? If you have a new idea, tell us how you will do this in the future.
I encourage others to learn about reproductive health by sharing informative and relatable content on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, X and LinkedIn. Through these platforms, I create awareness, encourage discussions and invite young people to engage with important reproductive health topics. I believe that change begins with sharing knowledge and creating spaces where people feel comfortable asking questions and learning from one another. During community outreach activities, I also hope to engage young people directly, listen to their concerns and encourage them to share accurate information with their peers. As the project grows, I plan to encourage more young people to participate through peer education, community discussions and collaborative awareness campaigns. I also hope to connect with youth organisations and other changemakers who share similar goals. My vision is to build a community of informed and empowered young people who are willing to use their voices, support one another and become advocates for reproductive health awareness.
