This booklet documents stories of hope to inspire change towards greater sexual and reproductive health and rights in East and Southern Africa. From young activists on child marriage and climate change, to the impact of COVID-19 on women and girls' rights, to efforts to break down myths and taboos around menstrual health, we champion the rights of women and girls in the region.

“It’s time for technology companies and policymakers to take digital violence seriously,” said UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem. “Right now, corporate logos and copyrighted IP receive greater protection online than we do as human beings.”

As the world embarks on a third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot forget that we are also on the cusp of the fifth decade of the AIDS pandemic. The continued spread of these two viruses lays bare stark social, health, legal and economic inequalities faced by vulnerable communities across the globe – with untold consequences for millions of women and girls in particular. Progress on the path to ending AIDS...