Bukola Afeni
As part of efforts to eliminate malaria, the RBM Partnership to End Malaria has announced the launch of its Youth Workstream initiative to empower young people in the fight against malaria.
Youth Workstream is an initiative aimed at coordinating the global youth response to malaria by collaborating with partners to amplify young people’s voices and equipping them with the tools, resources, and platforms needed to make a significant impact in the fight to end malaria.
According to RBM, the Youth Workstream will focus on five strategic pillars of activity , which include networking, capacity building, integration, amplification, and mentorship, to cultivate the next generation of advocates in the fight against malaria
Speaking during the lunching, the CEO of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, Dr Michael Charles, said the initiative will engage young leaders worldwide to harness the energy, creativity, and passion of young people in the mission to eliminate malaria by 2030.
Charles said: “The initiative aims to tap into the potential of 1.2 billion young people globally, building their advocacy and communication capacities, amplifying their voices in global dialogues, promoting broader collaboration and integration of youth into wider initiatives and providing mentorship to develop future leaders in malaria elimination efforts.
“We are thrilled to launch the Youth Workstream as a vital initiative that harnesses the power and creativity of young people in the fight against malaria.
“By empowering youth, we are not only investing in the leaders of tomorrow but also ensuring that their innovative solutions and unique perspectives drive us closer to a world free of malaria. This workstream underscores our commitment to inclusivity and long-term impact, allowing diverse voices to shape and contribute to our malaria elimination strategies.”
The Partnership appointed four young people as Co-Chairs of the new Youth Workstream: Miss Zeinaba Narabene Farka, Founder and President of the Young Sahelian Climate Network, Dr Rachel Ndaya Kalanda, community activist in the fight against HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria and Global Fund Advocates Network speaker Mr Odinaka Kingsley Obeta, Executive Director of Block Malaria Africa Initiative, Miss Petrider Paul, Youth Engagement Officer, African Leaders Malaria Alliance.
The Executive Secretary of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance and Board Chair of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, Joy Phumaphi, said the initiative will also provide training, resources, and opportunities to cultivate the next generation of malaria advocates.
“Harnessing the Youth Demographic Dividend has always been critical in the fight to end malaria and other global health challenges. I believe this Youth workstream will provide an opportunity for every young person, regardless of their background, to lead and make a difference in their communities in this fight. If we continue to place youth at the centre of the fight, then we have won half the battle,” he added.
RBM said Malaria is both treatable and preventable, yet with 249 million cases reported globally in 2022, the disease continues to claim more than 600,000 lives annually. By engaging diverse youth populations in the fight against malaria, the populations are well targeted.
The Co- chair of the Youth Workstream , Odinaka Kingsley Obeta said he is looking forward to supporting and collaborating with youth led initiatives and passionate youths across the world to drive innovative approaches towards ending malaria globally.
” I am honoured to be nominated and appointed as Co-Chair of the RBM Youth Workstream.
The Co- Chair of the Youth Workstream, Petrider Paul said “I am honored to accept the nomination to join the RBM Partnership to End Malaria youth workstream as a co-chair.
“I am geared to enhance our collaboration with young people from across all avenues committed to end malaria in a
multisectoral approach with health experts and youth from existing structures to end malaria,