The Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership to End Malaria has launched a youth work stream initiative to empower young people in the fight against malaria.

Youth work stream is an initiative aimed at coordinating the global youth response to malaria by collaborating with partners to amplify young people’s voices and equipping them with the tools, resources, and platforms needed to make a significant impact in the fight to end malaria.

According to RBM, Malaria is both treatable and preventable, yet with 249 million cases reported globally in 2022, the disease continues to claim more than 600,000 lives yearly and by engaging diverse youth populations in the fight against malaria, the populations are well-targeted.

At the launch of the initiative, the Chief Executive Officer, RBM Partnership to End Malaria, Dr Michael Charles, observed that the youth work stream will focus on five strategic pillars – networking, capacity building, integration, amplification, and mentorship to cultivate the next generation of advocates in the fight against malaria.

Charles explained that the initiative will engage young leaders worldwide to harness the energy, creativity, and passion of young people in the mission to eliminate malaria by 2030.

He said: “The initiative aims to tap into the potential of 1.2 billion young people globally, building their advocacy and communication capacities, amplifying their voices in global dialogues, promoting broader collaboration and integration of youth into wider initiatives and providing mentorship to develop future leaders in malaria elimination efforts.

“By empowering youth, we are not only investing in the leaders of tomorrow but also ensuring that their innovative solutions and unique perspectives drive us closer to a world free of malaria. This work stream underscores our commitment to inclusivity and long-term impact, allowing diverse voices to shape and contribute to malaria elimination strategies.”

The Executive Secretary of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance and Board Chair of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, Joy Phumaphi, said the initiative will also provide training, resources, and opportunities to cultivate the next generation of malaria advocates.

She noted that harnessing the youth demographic dividend has been critical in the fight to end malaria and other global health challenges, as well as expressed optimism that the initiative will provide an opportunity for every young person to make a difference in their communities. “If we continue to place youth at the centre of the fight, then we have won half the battle,” she added.

The partnership appointed four young people as co-chairs of the new youth work stream, they are the Founder and President of the Young Sahelian Climate Network, Miss Zeinaba Farka, a Community activist in the fight against HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria and Global Fund Advocates Network speaker, Dr Rachel Kalanda, Executive Director, Block Malaria Africa Initiative, Mr Odinaka Obeta, and Youth Engagement Officer, African Leaders Malaria Alliance, Miss Petrider Paul.