Ahead of the Regional Adolescent Health Indaba (RAHi 2026)

During the second quarter of the year, The Youth Platform three sixty (TYP360) actively participated in the planning and implementation of District and Provincial Adolescent Health Indabas in partnership with the Ministry of Health and other key stakeholders. The Indabas provided an important platform for adolescents and young people to engage with policymakers, health experts, government officials and other stakeholders on issues affecting their health and wellbeing.

The Indabas were held under the theme, “Ascertaining the Role of Young People in Enhancing Prevention, Ending Epidemics and Advancing Equitable Health Systems for All.” The theme emphasized that young people should not only be viewed as beneficiaries of health programs but as active partners and leaders in shaping solutions to health challenges affecting their communities.

As part of the planning committee, TYP360 contributed to the organization and coordination of the Indabas, ensuring that young people's voices, experiences and priorities remained central to the discussions. Through its participation, TYP360 supported the creation of spaces where adolescents and young people could openly engage with decision-makers and health stakeholders on matters affecting their health.

At the Lusaka Provincial Adolescent Health Indaba, adolescents and youth leaders from across the province came together to exchange experiences, interact with health experts and identify practical actions that could contribute to improved health outcomes in their communities. Discussions focused on the importance of youth leadership in disease prevention, promoting healthy behaviors and strengthening access to equitable and youth-responsive health services.

One of the key messages emerging from the Indabas was the need for young people to move beyond simply participating in discussions and take an active role in driving change. Young people were reminded that they have the capacity to serve as peer educators, digital influencers, community mobilisers and advocates, using their platforms and skills to influence positive health behaviors among their peers and communities.

The engagements also reinforced the importance of meaningful youth participation in strengthening Zambia's health system. Young people highlighted the need for health services and programs to respond to the realities they face, while stakeholders emphasized the value of involving adolescents and young people in decision-making processes that affect their health.

For TYP360, participation in the Indabas provided an opportunity to strengthen collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders while amplifying the voices of adolescents and young people. It also enabled the organization to contribute to discussions on how youth-led solutions can support disease prevention, improve health-seeking behaviors and promote equitable access to health services.

The Indabas further served as an important preparatory platform ahead of the Regional Adolescent Health Indaba, allowing young people and stakeholders to reflect on progress, identify existing gaps and consider practical actions that can be taken at community, provincial and national levels.

As TYP360 looks ahead to the Regional Adolescent Health Indaba, the organization remains committed to ensuring that young people are not merely present in health spaces but are meaningfully engaged in shaping the decisions, policies and interventions that affect their lives.