The Youth Platform (TYP) and the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism for UHC2030 (CSEM) collaborated to organize a workshop designed to empower youth advocates with the essential knowledge and skills needed to promote Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and ensure health for all. The session entitled “Regional Universal Health Coverage Youth Workshop” took place in person on August 7, 2024 in Lusaka, Zambia.
The youth participants and the CSEM then led the UHC theme for the Regional Adolescent Health Indaba (RAHi) from August 8 to 10, 2024.

UHC Workshop
This workshop, held ahead of the Regional Adolescent Health Indaba (RAHi), aimed to bring together youth advocates from across Africa to enhance their capacity to advocate for UHC and health for all.
Over 60 youth participants from 9 countries in eastern and southern Africa (Zambia, Botswana, DRC, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Eswatini, South Africa and Zimbabwe) engaged in dynamic and interactive sessions focused on building effective advocacy techniques and strategies, equipping them with the tools necessary to influence policymakers and drive meaningful change within their communities. The workshop covered a range of topics, including understanding the principles of UHC, identifying key stakeholders, and developing persuasive communication skills. Participants also had the opportunity to practice these skills through exercises, group discussions, and real-world case studies. By the end of the workshop, youth advocates were prepared to champion UHC initiatives and contribute to a movement toward equitable access to healthcare.
Calls to Action
Some of the key calls to action developed during the workshop include:
- Prioritizing marginalized populations, particularly those in rural areas where access to health services is severely limited.
- Establishing continuous youth engagement at all levels, rather than limiting their involvement to election periods.
- Implementing clear reporting and monitoring systems, with a focus on addressing the needs of young people with disabilities, whose concerns are often overlooked.
- Including young people on platforms where discussions are held with community leaders, particularly regarding the barriers they face due to harmful traditional practices.
- Harmonizing laws to align cultural norms with policies that address the barriers to UHC.
These calls to action served as the main points youth advocates raised to the members of parliaments during the panel discussion.
CSEM at the RAHi
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UHC Panel Discussion
The CSEM hosted three UHC-focused sessions during the RAHi, including a plenary session in which young advocates made a presentation on UHC with three members of parliament (MPs): Hon Christopher Kalila, Hon Joseph Munsanje, and Hon Joseph Twambo.
The discussion focused on the importance of youth involvement in health policy making and the role of government in making health services accessible to young people. During the discussion, youth advocates were able to present their calls to action, which they jointly developed during the CSEM-led UHC workshop to the MPs. This engagement not only enhanced the capacity of youth to advocate for UHC in the region but also laid the foundation for further collaboration.


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Breakout Room Session and UHC Marketplace
In addition to the main events, we hosted a breakout room session where smaller groups of youth advocates engaged in deeper discussions with a member of parliament (Honorable Kalila). This intimate setting allowed for more focused dialogue on specific issues -and specifically following questions, one specific way to adress need of person with disabilities.
We also set up a UHC Marketplace on the last day, where participants could access more information about UHC and learn how to engage in long-term advocacy efforts