SADC Hosts Multisectoral Consultative Forum on SRHR and Demographic Dividend

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), in partnership with African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), Sweden, and United Nations specialised agencies including UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNFPA, and WHO under the 2gether 4SRHR initiative, has convened a Multisectoral Consultative Forum on the SADC Framework for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and Demographic Dividend.

The Forum commenced on 1st October and will run until 3rd October 2025 in Lusaka, Zambia. It is held under the theme: Investing in Social and Human Development for Economic Growth, Wellbeing, Peace and Security in SADC. The event brings together experts on sexual and reproductive health, HIV, population and economic planning, employment and entrepreneurship, and technical and vocational education and training from 13 Member States. Participants are deliberating on existing knowledge, lessons, and experiences to develop a common strategic framework for programming on SRHR-Youth for the demographic dividend in the region.

Speakers at the opening included Mrs. Duduzile Simelane, Director of Social and Human Development at the SADC Secretariat; Mr. Seth Broekman, UNFPA Country Representative for Zambia; Dr. Hagos Debeb, AUDA-NEPAD Programme Management Unit Coordinator; and Mrs. Soazafintabany Suzanna Raymonde, Representative of the Republic of Madagascar and Chair of SADC. They highlighted the importance of harnessing the SADC Demographic Dividend and called for investment in young people through knowledge, practical skills, and access to opportunities that enable them to achieve their potential.

The outcomes of the Forum will be presented to the technical multisectoral meeting of SRH, HIV, and Monitoring and Evaluation Managers scheduled for 6-10 October at the same venue, Radisson Blu, Lusaka. The meeting will review, provide input, and validate the Forum’s recommendations in preparation for approval by the Joint Meeting of SADC Ministries of Health and HIV in November 2025.

The initiative reflects SADC’s commitment to integrating youth-focused strategies in social and human development programs, ensuring that young people are equipped to contribute to economic growth, wellbeing, and regional stability.