| 1. Christianah Aborisade Youth Interviewer 23, Adolescents 360 Young Designer, SFH Nigeria, Ibadan, Nigeria “I believed in abstinence when I was younger. I wish I had had more knowledge about modern contraceptives, so I could have helped my peers avoid becoming victims of unintended pregnancies, losing their lives as a result of an unsafe abortion or not being able to complete their education.” FUN FACT Christianah is driven by making a positive impact. |
2. Jillian Gedeon @J_Ged Youth Writer 27, Executive Director, International Youth Alliance for Family Planning, London, England “We were moving houses on the day that I got my first period. I recall telling my mom who, unlike me, was overly excited. In line with Middle-Eastern customs, she told my dad, my sister, called her sisters, my cousins, heck, I wouldn’t be surprised if she told the new neighbors. She was too excited for my liking!” FUN FACT Jillian never leaves the house without snacks and a water bottle. | |
| 3. Surabhi Dogra @SurabhiDogra Youth Interviewer 24, Manager, Public Health Foundation of India Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India “As teens, I wish we’d learned about the changes in our bodies beyond the rigid and limited information available in our biology books. We should have talked about how to protect ourselves from sexual violence and adolescent pregnancy.” FUN FACT Surabhi enjoys using creative art forms like theater and photography to explore the nuances of health systems. |
4. Chidimma Maduabum Youth Interviewer 24, Adolescents 360 Project Assistant, SFH Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria “I turn to pharmacists and other healthcare professionals for my reproductive health decisions.” FUN FACT Chidimma hates being late. “It stresses me out!” | |
| 5. Haniffa Arista Putri @kisara_bali Youth Graphic Designer 22, Staff, Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association, Denpasar, Bali “I wish someone had told me the importance of sex education when I was younger. Nobody taught me, so I taught myself by reading books.” FUN FACT When not advancing women’s issues, you can find Haniffa supporting local products in her hometown of Denpasar. |
6. Dr. Catherine Baye-Easton @bayekate2 Youth Writer 29, Director of Country Coordinators, International Alliance for Family Planning, Dallas, Texas “Teenage me should have known that using contraceptives didn’t make me a slut, immoral or promiscuous. Rather, it meant I was safe and could make informed decisions about my body, health and family.” FUN FACT Catherine’s favorite song is “Baby Shark!” | |
| 7. Victoria Milanzi @vicmilanzi Youth Interviewer 24, Media Monitor, Malawi Institute of Journalism under UNICEF, Blantyre, Malawi “What should teenagers know about contraceptive use? If you can’t abstain, use contraceptives.” FUN FACT Victoria prides herself on having never been to boarding school. |
8. Tanaka Chirombo @TanakaChirombo1 Youth Photographer 20, HIV/AIDS and SRHR Facilitator, Youth and Society, Mzuzu, Malawi “My mother and grandmother are in my squad when it comes to my health decisions.” FUN FACT Tanaka is a self-proclaimed social butterfly. “I love talking to everyone!” | |
| 9. Esther Nantambi @youthEcenter Youth Interviewer 24, Radio Presenter and Communications Assistant, Youth Equality Center, Kampala, Uganda “Growing up, my mother would say things like: ‘If you have sex with boys, you are going to disappoint God and get HIV/AIDS!’ Our neighbors would say she was ruining our innocence by using words like ‘sex.’ But we turned out just fine.” FUN FACT Esther’s life goal is to create a youth mentorship system to support the next generation in making healthy life decisions. |