YOUTH DRIVE CHANGE AS CSA MARKS 37 YEARS OF EMPOWERMENT AND INNOVATION

 

A section of participants during the CSA Horizon37 Youth Symposium at Radisson Blu in Nairobi.

By: Gladys K.
       

The Centre for the Study of Adolescence (CSA) marked its 37th anniversary with a powerful youth-led symposium, celebrating decades of impact in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) while calling for renewed commitment to youth leadership and inclusion in shaping Kenya’s health future.

Themed “Youth Voices Leading Bold Futures,” the CSA Horizon37 Symposium brought together young people, government officials, development partners, and civil society representatives to reflect on the organization’s legacy and chart a new course for adolescent and youth empowerment.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Jacqueline Kisia Head of Adolescent Health at the Ministry of Health, lauded CSA for its pioneering work and enduring partnership in championing youth health and rights.

“Young people are not passive recipients of health programs. They are leaders, innovators, and essential partners in shaping the future of SRHR,” she said. “The government remains committed to expanding adolescent-friendly services and integrating SRHR with mental health and climate resilience.”

Over the past three decades, CSA has evolved from a small research initiative into a national and regional force driving evidence-based policy, advocacy, and community action. The organization played a key role in developing Kenya’s first Adolescent Reproductive Health and Development Policy in 2003 a milestone that laid the foundation for youth-centered health policies and programs across the country.

CSA Executive Director Humphres Evelia underscored the organization’s belief that young people are not just beneficiaries but partners in driving change.

“This symposium is not just a conference it’s a conversation between generations,” he said. “Meaningful youth participation means power  the power to design programs, make decisions, and hold leaders accountable.”

CSA’s work spans diverse areas including gender equality, youth empowerment, child protection, and integration of SRHR with climate justice, digital health, and mental well-being. Its initiatives have reached millions of young people through advocacy campaigns, peer education, and capacity-building partnerships with grassroots organizations, faith-based groups, and county governments.

The event also featured testimonies from youth beneficiaries whose lives have been transformed through CSA programs. Juma Fredrick, a trainee from Kakamega, shared how a CSA community-based training program helped him acquire electrical installation skills after dropping out of school.

“CSA gave me a second chance,” he said. “I learned a skill that helps me earn a living. I only wish we could get certificates so that it’s easier to find formal work.”

Another youth advocate, Amanda Mulanda from Siaya County, reflected on her journey from a shy 19-year-old volunteer to a confident SRHR facilitator.

“Working with CSA empowered me to speak openly about issues that matter to young people, especially adolescent girls,” she said. “It’s not always easy, especially in communities with strong cultural resistance, but change is happening.”

Velma Olunga from Kakamega County, who works with the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) project, emphasized the importance of early education on child safety and rights.

“Through child rights clubs, we teach children to understand their bodies, recognize unsafe spaces, and speak up,” she said. “Comprehensive sexual education is key to preventing abuse and promoting safety.”

As CSA looks to the future, its new strategic plan (2026–2030) focuses on strengthening partnerships, advancing research, and amplifying youth-led advocacy. Participants at the symposium are expected to co-create the “Youth Future Declaration 2030,” a collective roadmap for advancing adolescent and youth health in Kenya and beyond.

Closing the session, CSA leadership reaffirmed its dedication to bridging generations and building inclusive systems that give young people real power to lead.

“Let this be the generation that turns conversation into commitment and commitment into change,” said a CSA representative. “The future of our nation depends on how boldly we empower and trust young people to lead.”

As CSA celebrates 37 years of service, the call to action is clear to sustain the legacy of courage, evidence, and advocacy that places youth at the center of Kenya’s health and development agenda.