I want to see youths of my generation and those of the near future free to express their sexual orientations without any fear of stigmatization or discrimination

Abongwa, from Cameroon, is a Youth Journalist through the International Youth Speak Out Project.

I have realized that young people often do not have ways to express their sexuality. Very often, such impediments come from cultural practices, which in some cases see sexual reproductive health education and dialogue as taboo and leave these  young people with many unanswered questions.

Seeing all this happening around me, I felt challenged to help out in my own little way by first acquiring accurate knowledge surrounding sexual reproductive  health  and rights  and from there engaging activities geared towards getting other young people make informed decisions surrounding their sexuality and rights.

 The first motivation of the work I do is the gratification I derive from serving. Knowing that what I do contributes in saving lives and making people live healthily with respect for one another, makes me feel good.

Secondly, doing what I do gives me the opportunity to meet other young people with different world views, backgrounds and cultures. This permits me to learn and to be culturally competent. At times people who interact with me are surprised at how well I get to cope with people from very different backgrounds.

I want to see youths of my generation and those of the near future free to express their sexual orientations without any fear of stigmatization or discrimination, having access to ample and realistic sexual and reproductive health and rights materials, and also to facilities which will help them live positively and contribute towards the socio-economic growth of the countries and the world at large.