MenEngage Africa is convening advocates, policymakers, youth leaders and practitioners in Mombasa, Kenya, for the 2026 Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Learning and Exchange Symposium, a three-day regional gathering focused on advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights across Africa.
The symposium is taking place from August 12 to 14, 2026 and is designed as a collaborative space for participants to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships and explore practical approaches to improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes across the continent.
According to the organisers, the event will bring together stakeholders working across policy, advocacy, youth leadership, gender equality and community development.
The symposium reflects the growing recognition that sexual and reproductive health and rights are central to broader development outcomes, particularly for young people, women and marginalised communities.
Focus on Youth Participation
Youth engagement is a major part of the event.
MenEngage Africa has created a dedicated youth delegate category to enable young people to participate in the symposium and contribute directly to conversations around sexual and reproductive health, gender equality and community-based solutions.
The official registration page lists the youth delegate fee at R1,600.
The participation of young people is particularly important because many sexual and reproductive health challenges disproportionately affect adolescents and youth, including access to accurate information, reproductive health services, contraception, comprehensive sexuality education and protection from gender-based violence.
By involving youth leaders in policy and programme discussions, the symposium creates an opportunity for young Africans to contribute directly to the development of solutions that affect their lives.
Why SRHR Matters for Africa
Sexual and reproductive health and rights remain closely linked to several development priorities across Africa, including maternal health, adolescent health, gender equality, education, poverty reduction and women’s empowerment.
Limited access to reproductive health information and services can affect school attendance, economic participation, maternal health outcomes and the ability of young people to make informed decisions about their health.
For NGOs, foundations, youth organisations and development agencies, stronger investment in SRHR can help improve community health while supporting broader social and economic development.
The MenEngage Africa symposium provides a platform for organisations and practitioners to share experiences, strengthen regional networks and explore approaches that can be adapted across different African countries and communities.
Building Partnerships for Better Health Outcomes
One of the key values of regional development gatherings is the opportunity to move beyond isolated programmes and build stronger networks between organisations working on similar challenges.
By bringing together policymakers, advocates, practitioners and youth leaders, the symposium can help create stronger collaboration between government institutions, civil society organisations, development partners and community groups.
Such partnerships are particularly important in addressing complex issues including gender norms, reproductive health access, harmful practices, youth participation and gender-based violence.
For Social Impact News, the event highlights a broader development message: improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes requires not only healthcare services but also stronger policies, community engagement, youth participation and sustained investment.
As stakeholders gather in Mombasa, the conversations emerging from the symposium could help shape future approaches to reproductive health, gender equality and youth-centred development across Africa.
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