African Union Youth Program

H.E. Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, is leading by example in advancing health, well-being, and menstrual dignity.
Her commitment marks an important step toward implementing the recommendations articulated by AUC staff during the commemoration of 2026, grassroots organizations, civil society actors, and youth advocates during the commemoration of .

Turning commitments into action requires accountability and sustained collaboration. To this end, the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD) and the Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Directorate (SEBE) will deploy a Joint Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Tracking Matrix. This mechanism will support the monitoring of progress and help ensure that policy commitments are translated into tangible improvements in dignity, safety, access to services, and sustainable infrastructure🌍.

As the African Union advances the 2026 Year of Water Sustainability, this initiative reflects our collective commitment to building a more inclusive, healthy, and equitable Africa for women, girls, and young people.

Read the full press release, "African Union Drives Continental Action on Menstrual Dignity and Gender-Responsive WASH Under the 2026 Year of Water Sustainability": https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20260528/au-drives-continental-action-menstrual-dignity-and-gender-responsive-wash

"We must move beyond awareness and transition into concrete, targeted action by accelerating public and private investments in school WASH infrastructure and championing youth-led green innovations." — Dr. Jihane El Gaouzi, Head of the Sustainable Environment Division (ARBE).

Delivering the keynote address during the webinar, Dr. El Gaouzi anchored technical climate-resilient water infrastructure solutions directly to the specific hygiene needs of women and girls.

We are focusing on two immediate next steps for Member States:
🔴 Framework Domestication: Encouraging intense advocacy to align national sanitation policies with gender-responsive frameworks, ensuring youth are active partners in the policy-drafting process.
🔴 Multi-Sectoral Alliances: Replicating the cross-directorate model at the national level by establishing joint task forces across gender, education, climate finance, and water resources.

🌍 Read more : https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20260528/au-drives-continental-action-menstrual-dignity-and-gender-responsive-wash

Breaking the silence on Menstrual Health Management (MHM) requires intentional, multi-level communication and the active engagement of men and boys. At our recently concluded continental webinar, panel moderator Mr. Soheyb Hadjab🇩🇿 exemplified the vital role of by leading critical conversations to dismantle societal taboos, specifically leveraging digital spaces for amplification. By utilizing digital storytelling, we are bridging the gap between technical water policies and grassroots dignity.

Our immediate next steps are focused on two strategic tracks:
🔴 Framework Domestication: Driving advocacy to align national sanitation policies with gender-responsive frameworks, ensuring youth are active partners in the policy-drafting process.
🔴 Multi-Sectoral Alliances: Replicating an interdepartmental model at the national level by establishing joint task forces across gender, education, climate finance, and water resources.

🌍 Read more about our campaign outcomes and strategic recommendations here: https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20260528/au-drives-continental-action-menstrual-dignity-and-gender-responsive-wash

Following the successful commemoration of , we are prioritizing immediate next steps to translate continental commitments into sustainable national action.

On behalf of WGYD Director Mme Prudence Ngwenya, Dr. Jeanne Flora Kayitesi delivered the opening remarks during the webinar, highlighting our immediate strategic focus on two critical pillars:

🔴 Framework Domestication: Promoting strong advocacy to align national sanitation policies with gender-responsive frameworks and ensuring that youth are active partners in the policy-drafting process.

🔴 Multi-Sectoral Alliances: Replicating the cross-directorate model at the national level by establishing joint task forces across gender, education, climate finance, and water resources.

To learn more about the outcomes and strategic recommendations 🌍, visit:

https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20260528/au-drives-continental-action-menstrual-dignity-and-gender-responsive-wash

Today, May 28th, African Union joins the global community to commemorate 🔴🌍

​We are bringing together continental leaders, policymakers, and youth advocates to push forward the implementation of AU frameworks for gender-responsive WASH solutions.

​What to expect:
​🎙️ Keynote address on continental priorities.
​💬 Youth & NGO Spotlight featuring powerful grassroots experiences from Cameroon🇨🇲, Zambia🇿🇲, Tanzania🇹🇿, Sierra Leone🇸🇱, and Senegal🇸🇳.
​🚀 Actionable policy recommendations for Africa’s future.
​Be part of the revolution. Your voice matters!
⏰ When: Today at 12:00 PM EAT (GMT+3)

🔗 Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/c7L6Sok9S1yM_ygyqXu10g #/registration

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Dignity is non-negotiable, and no girl should be held back from reaching her dreams due to a lack of safe menstrual hygiene options! 🩸💪

​For this year's commemoration of Menstrual Hygiene Day, we celebrate the brilliant leaders bringing sustainable solutions to the grassroots. Meet Miss Adamma Anyanwu🇨🇲, Executive Director of the Aura Foundation Helps! Her organization is working tirelessly to elevate adolescent health, dismantle cultural taboos, and ensure girls can stay in school with confidence.

​As part of the AU's 1 Million Next Level ( ) health and wellbeing component, we are putting youth empowerment and girls' wellbeing at the core of regional development.

Be part of the continental conversation this ​📅 Thursday, 28 May 2026. Register to hear from Adama and other visionary civil society leaders at our virtual webinar this Thursday.

⏰ Find Your Local Time:
​09:00 AM GMT
​10:00 AM GMT+1
​11:00 AM GMT+2
​12:00 PM GMT+3
​13:00 PM GMT+4

​👉 Zoom Registration Link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/c7L6Sok9S1yM_ygyqXu10g #/registration
👉 Event Background & Information: https://au.int/en/newsevents/20260528/continental-webinar-champion-menstrual-dignity-and-expand-gender-responsive-wash

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Real impact always begins with young leaders🌍✨

​As we celebrate , our spotlight shines on Southern Africa's bold young voices from the Youth WASH ambassador club- YWAC !
Meet Ms. Iness Mwansa , a Second-Year Agronomy student at The Copperbelt University and Assistant Media & Communications officer for the Youth WASH Ambassador Club🇿🇲.
​Through the 1 Million Next Level ( ) health and wellbeing component, Iness and her peers are breaking heavy menstrual taboos, running community school outreaches, and fighting for unconditional access to clean, safe, and dignified sanitation spaces.

​Watch her live at our upcoming continental webinar! 👇
​📅 Thursday, 28 May 2026
⏰ Your Regional Time Guide:
​🌍 09:00 AM GMT
​🌍 10:00 AM GMT+1
​🌍 11:00 AM GMT+2
​🌍 12:00 PM GMT+3
​🌍 13:00 PM GMT+4

​🔗 Register Now: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/c7L6Sok9S1yM_ygyqXu10g #/registration
📖 Read More: https://au.int/en/newsevents/20260528/continental-webinar-champion-menstrual-dignity-and-expand-gender-responsive-wash
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