South Sudan Youth Compete for Innovative Solutions to Combat Climate Change and Enhance Sexual and Reproductive Health
Experts and innovators gathered at the Scenius Hub on Friday for a crucial discussion on the intersection of climate change, sexual and reproductive health, and rights. The event, organized in partnership with Impact Health Organization (IHO) and supported by UNFPA South Sudan, marked the launch of a competition aimed at finding innovative solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change on these critical issues.
The initiative offers a prize pool of $10,000 to fund the two best innovative ideas that address this pressing challenge. According to Sentengo David, Program Manager at Impact Health Organization, the realities of climate change pose significant risks—especially to young girls, who face increased threats of early marriage, violence, and interrupted access to essential health services.
“We are trying to build a network of innovators and produce ideas that can be adopted by our country office to mitigate climate challenges,” Sentengo stated during a press conference. Each of the selected winners will receive $5,000 to support their initiatives.
Ayub Maswa, ICT Analyst and Innovation Focal Person at UNFPA South Sudan, emphasized the importance of youth engagement in tackling climate change. “This is a climate change pitching idea that has core components aimed at developing solutions for safer and more resilient communities, particularly for young women,” he said. He added that the initiative provides a platform for South Sudanese youth to showcase their talent and contribute to climate action on a regional level, as the top two winning teams will represent the country in a pitch competition in Kigali, Rwanda, on November 7, 2024.
Similarly, Chuol Tap, an innovator, urged fellow participants to focus on valuable solutions that genuinely address the issues at hand. “We should spend our time looking for ideas that will genuinely make an impact,” he remarked.
Anok Athor Deng, the Founder of She Green Health Planet, shared her commitment to digital education and awareness, particularly concerning gender roles. “These initiatives are crucial for empowering girls and addressing their specific needs,” she noted.
On September 23, 2024, 16 teams of young innovators participated in intensive mentorship sessions led by Scenius Hub, aimed at refining their ideas and approaches to the challenges posed by climate change.
As South Sudan continues to grapple with the pressing threats posed by climate change, this innovative competition represents an important step in fostering resilience and advancing sexual and reproductive health rights in the nation’s youth.
