22 June 2016, New York – Today, Women Deliver, a global advocacy organization, awarded seed grants of US$5,000 each to 20 Young Leadersto support six-month projects aimed at advancing girls’ and women’s health, rights and wellbeing in their communities.
Like the first 10 seed grants from 2014, the current projects focus on a variety of sexual and reproductive health and rights advocacy areas. Annah Sango’s seed grant will go to improving the overall health and dignity of young women living with HIV in Zimbabwe by providing the necessary skills and information to which they often lack accessDear Adaobi,. Another recipient, Jasmine George of India, is creating six audio podcasts that will inform young people about sexual and reproductive health and empower them to access these services.
“With half the population in the world under the age of 30, the voices and choices of young people is absolutely crucial for people and planet,” says Katja Iversen, Chief Executive Officer and President of Women Deliver. “With the new Women Deliver seed grants, 20 inspiring young leaders from 15 countries can catalyze action and improve the lives of thousands of girls and women in their communities.”
The 20 grants are part of the Women Deliver Young Leaders Program, which provides opportunities for youth advocates to build and strengthen their capacity and skills and finds platforms for them to share their voices and experiences. The grants are funded by Johnson & Johnson, a founding partner of the Women Deliver Young Leaders Program and long supporter of youth advocacy.
“Johnson & Johnson believes the future is in the hands of our youth. They are powerful voices and agents of change for their own needs, transforming policy, programs, cultural norms and their communities for the better,” said Lauren Moore, Vice President, Corporate Citizenship, Johnson & Johnson.
About Women Deliver: As a leading global advocate for girls’ and women’s health, rights and wellbeing, Women Deliver brings together diverse voices and interests to drive progress, particularly in maternal, sexual, and reproductive health and rights. It builds capacity, shares solutions, and forges partnerships, together creating coalitions, communication, and actions that spark political commitment and investment in girls and women. Women Deliver believes that when the world invests in girls and women, everybody wins.