Karen Austrian

An established body of evidence suggests that gender transformative programming must be holistic and address the intersecting barriers that adolescent girls face. Nonetheless, a vast gap remains: the SRH and economic empowerment sectors rarely collaborate, and programs are rarely integrated. This session will bridge this gap by bringing together these two disparate fields. No question is off the table as a dynamic panel will debate, share and inspire, equipping participants with practical tools and tips on how to deliver effective programs that integrate economic empowerment and SRH and ultimately, deliver for adolescent girls. Come prepared to participate, share and learn.

Session format: Whole System in a Room

Organized by Population Services International (PSI), BRAC International, Population Council, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Population Services Kenya (PSK)

This session will start with opening remarks by an adolescent from a climate-affected area on the importance of looking at the climate crisis via the lens of adolescents, and vice-versa. This will be followed by a plenary panel that will focus on understanding the intersection of the climate crisis and adolescents. Young people will share how the climate crisis is impacting adolescents, with an emphasis on the gendered dimensions. Young leaders will provide key insights from recent research conducted with adolescents in their respective countries to highlight contextual diversity. Next, we will break out into groups which will focus on one of two topics: 1) deepening the discussion on how the climate crisis is shaping adolescents’ lives and 2) forward-looking discussions on relevant recommendations for various contexts (from attendees), and spotlighting adolescent-led solutions. The breakout sessions will be led by young climate activists and at least one will be held in Spanish and one in French. After the breakout sessions we will reconvene for a second plenary that will focus on adolescent-led solutions and recommendations. Recommendations will be based on the research and conversations from various pre-conferences for attendees’ advocacy, programming, or future research on girls and climate. The event will close with participants sharing how they can apply the new information in their lives and/or work, how existing organizations, campaigns, and coalitions can continue to work on these issues, and how attendees can engage with and hold duty-bearers accountable to existing government commitments on the climate response.

Session format: Thought Leadership

Organized by Population Council, Women Deliver, UNICEF