Advocates’ International Youth Activist Network (iYAN) consists of youth activists and adult allies from low and middle-income countries who are working to influence policies and programs in their countries and internationally to support improved youth reproductive and sexual health. Members of the iYAN connect to share information about their work; are provided information about scholarships and networking opportunities; get up-to-date information on downloadable advocacy materials and tool kits; and receive a monthly newsletter with information on advocacy, youth activism, and mobilization on important issues like sex education, access to contraception, and prevention of adolescent maternal mortality and HIV. Sign up for the IYAN Newsletter!

Call for Applications:

Become an International Youth Blogger!

March 1, 2012-December 31, 2012

Advocates for Youth is recruiting six youth bloggers from the Global South to report on sexual and reproductive health and rights issues from March 1, 2012-December 31, 2012.

Download the Application!

If you would like to apply and are a young person between the ages of 18 and 24 and live in sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, or Asia, please submit your application by Wednesday, February 15, 2012, to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

To apply, you must:

• have an interest in youth global sexual and reproductive health and rights issues
• have an understanding of the intersection between sexual and reproductive health and rights, environmental sustainability and/or sustainable development
• be able to commit to reporting by posting blogs throughout the year
• have strong writing skills
• have experience studying or working in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights, youth development, and/or journalism
• be available to travel to at least one international conference (costs will be covered by Advocates) during the year
• have reliable internet connection with the ability to respond to emails promptly and regularly
• be able to write 3 blog posts addressing global youth sexual and reproductive health and rights issues each month. One of the three monthly blog posts must relate to the connection between sexual and reproductive health and the environment.

Applicants will be notified about whether they have been selected by Friday, February 24, 2012.  The six youth writers will participate in a webinar hosted by Advocates for Youth, focused on blogging skills, new media, and youth global sexual and reproductive health and rights issues.  During the term of the contract, the youth bloggers will post at least three blogs per month.  In addition, the youth bloggers may potentially travel to an international conference in order to report daily on youth sexual and reproductive health and rights issues. Advocates for Youth will cover travel to designated conferences and visa fees, in addition to lodging, and meals during the conferences.  Advocates will also provide writers with a stipend of US$50.00 per month.

Download the Application!

The International Youth Speak Out Project

The International Youth Speak Out Project (iYSO) is housed within iYAN. iYSO seeks to empower young people to advocate for their own reproductive and sexual health through advocacy, public awareness-raising, and mobilization of peers to take action. Objectives include providing information and key resources and facilitating linkages and opportunities for youth advocates in developing countries; supporting organizations conducting youth advocacy through training and technical assistance; and building the capacity of selected partner organizations in Jamaica, Nigeria, and Ethiopia to host and support a group of youth leaders to advocate at the national and international level for evidence-based reproductive and sexual health programs and policies.

Read the iYSO members blogs' On Amplify!

Jamaica:
Rocky
Orain

Nigeria:
Abdulrahman
Kike