It’s been a week since I had the pleasure of speaking at the opening plenary at the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 – a global gathering to mobilize the political will and financial commitments we urgently need to fully implement the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action, which was established 25 years ago to empower women and girls worldwide.
My own journey lasted 6 weeks and spanned Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao representing 10 regions, 17 provinces, and 75 cities and municipalities. I consulted with hundreds of 13 to 35 year olds from across the Philippines to establish a national picture on the state of sexual health services and needs in the country.
Throughout this process I have been privileged enough to engage with some incredible and brave individuals, both in the Philippines and among my fellow 25x25 young leaders. , and a young person living with HIV who needs to travel for 4 hours to get antiretroviral drugs.