Meet Action Learning Cycle 11 Members

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Understanding the Intersection of Climate Change and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR): Impacts, Challenges, and Collaborative Solutions

Climate change is not just an environmental issue—it is a profound justice issue that intersects with health, gender, and human rights. Young people, particularly those in low- and middle-income countries, face compounding vulnerabilities where the climate crisis intersects with barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). From climate-related displacement to disrupted health systems and deepening gender inequalities, the SRHR of young people is increasingly under threat.

Throughout this Action Learning Cycle, we will explore how climate change is affecting SRHR outcomes, and how youth-led and youth-serving organisations can respond through integrated, rights-based, and context-specific approaches. Together, we will identify challenges, surface lived experiences, and co-create pathways for collaboration between climate and SRHR movements. The cycle offers space to reflect, learn, and strategise on how to strengthen advocacy, programs, and partnerships at this crucial intersection. Learn more about the topic here.

We asked our group members about their motivation to join this learning cycle—and here’s what they had to say:

Rishav Mitra
Indian Chapter Co-Lead
Embrace Youth International

“We joined this Action Learning Cycle to better understand how to break the silence around sexual health in communities where it remains taboo. In many parts of Asia, young people are shamed for even asking questions—this cycle gives us the tools and connections to change that reality.”

Jayapriya Rajeswaran
Indian Chapter Co-Lead
Embrace Youth International

“Participating in this cycle is helping us design more impactful, awareness-driven initiatives—like pad drives, summits, and school partnerships—that promote open conversations about sexual health. We want to bring these dialogues into spaces where they’re often absent and urgently needed.


Abdifatah Mohamed Abdi
Founder & Executive Director
Safeguard Health Association

Safeguard Health Association (SHA) is deeply committed to improving adolescent and youth sexual reproductive health, particularly in underserved communities. Through this platform, we aim to strengthen our approach to AYSRHR, integrate innovative interventions, and build a stronger evidence-based framework for our advocacy and service delivery.

Khalil Abdirashid Dahir
General Secretary
Safeguard Health Association

We are currently working on HIV awareness and prevention initiatives, focusing on rural and vulnerable populations. Joining this learning group will provide us with valuable insights, best practices, and strategic partnerships to enhance our programs. Our goal is to create sustainable, youth-friendly health programs that empower young people with knowledge and access to essential reproductive health services.


Martin Woja Santino
Executive Director
iFix Initiative

Climate change exacerbates existing inequalities, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls, by limiting access to reproductive health services and increasing health risks. By participating in this program, our organization aims to deepen its knowledge of these interconnected challenges and explore collaborative solutions that address both environmental sustainability and reproductive health.

Stephen Ludoru Elias
Business Development Officer
iFix Initiative

“This learning group will enable us to design more effective, inclusive programs that empower communities, enhance resilience, and advocate for policies that integrate climate action with reproductive rights, ultimately contributing to our goal of fostering equitable and sustainable development.


Priyal Agrawal
Founder and CEO
StandWeSpeak

” We’re joining this cycle because we recognize the critical intersection between climate change and SRHR, especially for marginalized youth in disaster-prone areas. Climate-induced displacement, food insecurity, and extreme weather events disproportionately affect adolescents, young women, and LGBTQ+ individuals, limiting their access to contraceptives, maternal care, and safe spaces.

Ishanika Sehgal
Business Team Lead
StandWeSpeak

This group offers an opportunity to co-learn, collaborate, and co-create with experts tackling these challenges. By joining, we hope to exchange insights, design adaptable SRHR models for climate-affected communities, and advocate for policies that align climate adaptation with reproductive health rights.


Sharon Reakae
Founder and Director
Haphega

Haphega is joining this Action Learning Group to enhance its impact on AYSRHR by gaining insights from global best practices, networking with like-minded organisations, and strengthening our capacity to address the SRHR needs of youth with disabilities.

Maureen Bojase
Co-Founder & Program Lead
Haphega

“Our participation in this learning group will help us develop innovative solutions to ensure accessibility and inclusion in SRHR programs. As we expand our school-based interventions and caregiver support forums, learning from other stakeholders in the field will help us refine our approach and improve service delivery.


Akekelwa Catherine Chitonka
Team Lead
RefuCare Zambia-A Hope for Every Mind

“At RefuCare Zambia, we’ve seen firsthand how climate-related challenges like drought and displacement intensify SRHR risks for adolescent girls and young women. This Action Learning Cycle offers a vital opportunity to explore climate-resilient strategies that protect and empower marginalized youth. We’re participating in this group to better understand the intersection of climate change and SRHR and to develop integrated, sustainable solutions. Collaborating with peers and experts will help us strengthen our programs and improve outcomes for vulnerable communities in Zambia and beyond


Namkeen Peshawri
Founder
Trans Support Group

We are joining this cycle to strengthen our capacity for supporting grassroots youth-led AYSRHR organizations in Iraq, many of which face imminent shutdowns due to the recent USAID exit and declining international aid. Without structured governance, strategic planning, and donor engagement capacity, they risk dissolving, cutting off essential SRHR services for marginalized Iraqi youth. This initiative will equip us with innovative ideas and strategies to directly enhance the operational resilience of Iraqi NGOs. By refining our technical assistance programs, developing modular financial literacy toolkits, and we establishing mentorship pipelines, we will help fellow youth-led NGOs professionalize their structures, access alternative funding sources, and improve monitoring systems.”


Abdullah Al Hasan Dipto
Co-Founder and Head of Partnership Development
Pathchola Foundation Bangladesh

Pathchola Foundation is deeply committed to advocating for the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of marginalized youth, especially the transgender community, sex workers, and gender minorities. Joining this group will help us strengthen our SRHR initiatives, specifically addressing barriers that hinder youth from accessing crucial health services.

Manisha Meem Nipun
Co-Founder and LGBTIQ+ Empowerment Programme Focal
Pathchola Foundation Bangladesh

We are currently working on improving SRHR access for marginalized youth, and by engaging with this group, we aim to further enhance our understanding and approach to SRHR, ensuring it’s inclusive and rights-based. This will also support our broader goals of climate justice, peacebuilding, and achieving the SDGs, particularly SDG 3 (Health) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).


Krah Billey
Director and Co-founder
Prime Initiatives

“We are implementing SRHR projects to young people and women in rural communities. Even though we know that there are several challenges that limit access to SRHR services, we want to get more information on the relationship between climate change and access to SRHR services and information.”

Mariam Alhassan
Director of Programmes
Prime Initiatives

“We are joining this group as we want to build our capacity and knowledge to help us implement our projects related to both SRHR and climate change.”


Racheal Ncube
Founder/Executive Director
Skill A Community

I am excited to join this group to strengthen Skill A Community’s work through Climate Action Haven, where we explore how climate change affects Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (AYSRHR). Climate crises often limit access to SRHR services, impacting young women the most. We use art—poetry, storytelling, and visual expressions—to raise awareness of these issues, promoting resilience and informed SRHR choices.

Nomakhosi Valentine
Content and Engagement Lead
Skill A Community

Our approach involves collaborating with female artists, activists, and organizations to amplify marginalized voices. Joining this group will help us enhance our advocacy, build strategic partnerships, and learn new ways to empower youth facing the combined challenges of climate change and SRHR.


Priscah Osellu
Programs Manager
Institute for Global and Reproductive Health (IGRH)

“We joined this Action Learning Cycle to explore how climate change intersects with gender-based violence and maternal health, particularly for adolescent mothers. This emerging focus will help us design more responsive and impactful programs for vulnerable young women in Kenya.

Charlotte Polle
Executive Director
Institute for Global and Reproductive Health (IGRH)

Engaging with this topic through the cycle is expanding our perspective and connecting us with vital networks. These insights are key as we begin shaping new initiatives that address the unique SRHR challenges faced by teenage mothers in the context of climate change.”


Elijah Muthui
Operations Director
Darubini ya Afya

“Our organization brings together young people from diverse backgrounds to find innovative solutions across climate action, education, and community health. Joining this Action Learning Cycle aligns with our mission to drive lasting impact and strengthen our role as a source of solutions for our community.”

Martha Mukai
Executive Director
Darubini ya Afya

“We are committed to meaningful, youth-led impact—and this program supports our efforts to refine our approaches and scale what works. It’s a valuable opportunity to learn, collaborate, and deepen our contribution to community transformation.”


Grace Gakii
Projects Officer
The Mate Foundation

“At The Mate Foundation, our work on menstrual hygiene and youth empowerment has shown the urgent need for broader AYSRHR services in rural communities. This Action Learning Cycle gives us the opportunity to build on that work, strengthen our strategies, and scale our impact through collaboration and shared learning.”

Immaculate Kathomi
Fundraising Officer
The Mate Foundation

“By joining this group, we aim to integrate stronger AYSRHR-focused programs, advocate for policy change, and ensure youth have access to inclusive, youth-friendly services. Learning from global best practices will help us align our efforts and better serve young people in under-resourced communities.”


Vivian Mugarisi
Policy and Governance Lead
Women in Global Health – Zimbabwe Chapter

“Women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate change, which amplifies existing SRHR vulnerabilities—especially in marginalized communities. This Action Learning Cycle gives us the space to explore intersectional, gender-responsive solutions that drive both environmental and health equity.”

Nokuthula Gavaza
Member
Women in Global Health – Zimbabwe Chapter

“Through this group, we’re gaining critical insights into emerging research and policy approaches that link climate resilience with reproductive health. These learnings will strengthen our advocacy for inclusive global health governance and help shape more equitable, sustainable systems.”

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