No National Abortion Ban!

63 million women already live under abortion bans in the U.S. You could be next. Add your name to fight back!

Sign the Petition
collage of repro images

News

Sandra’s Voice and Power: Shifting the Narrative Through SRHR Advocacy in Malawi

  • Story
2 min. read

Sandra Chimelera, a 22-year-old social work graduate from Malawi, is passionate about advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Her advocacy journey started with learning how to speak up.

Like many Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) in her community, Sandra once knew little about her reproductive rights. Accessing accurate Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information and services was difficult. AGYW in her community faced stigma and judgment. Contraception, consent, or choice were rarely discussed openly. For Sandra, the idea of influencing change in her community felt distant and unattainable, until she joined a capacity-building workshop organized by For Equality (FE), in partnership with the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR), under the Changing the Law, Changing Lives project, funded by Global Affairs Canada. The training introduced information about SRHR legal frameworks, safe abortion, storytelling, and media advocacy as tools for change. For Sandra, it was an eye-opening experience that revealed the power of legal knowledge and youth-led advocacy.

Through the advocacy training, I gained a deeper understanding of the laws related to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and how best to advocate for them. It also gave me the opportunity to interact with other AGYW from diverse backgrounds. We created a space where we could share and learn from each other.

Sandra Chimelera

Armed with new skills, Sandra’s confidence began to soar. She actively contributed to an SRHR priority-setting meeting, identifying urgent issues affecting young people in her community. She also joined a reflective learning session with her peers, sharing her journey and encouraging others to become advocates. Sandra’s advocacy efforts began to resonate beyond her immediate community. She was invited to speak on Timveni Radio, taking part in a national dialogue alongside a government official, the district Youth Friendly Health Services (YFHS) Coordinator, an SRHR expert, and the FP2030 national focal person. Her voice, once silenced, carried across the nation. Now, Sandra believes more than ever that communities must listen to young people and provide stigma-free, youth-friendly SRHR services. She no longer sees herself as a passive community member, but as a changemaker shaping the future.

Being on that radio program was an incredible moment. I felt confident and valued. We discussed the challenges young people face in accessing SRHR services, including stigma and limited access to services, and how these lead to unsafe sex and other risky behaviors resulting in unintended pregnancies among adolescent girls.

Sandra Chimelera

Sandra’s media advocacy on Timveni Radio shortly after her training demonstrates the importance of providing young advocates with immediate platforms to apply their skills. It boosts confidence, deepens learning, and reinforces impact. Sandra’s story is proof that when young people are given knowledge, tools, and platforms, their voices can shift narratives, transform communities, and have national impact.