‘They say the revolution will not be televised — but ours had a live band, heartfelt commitments, and a dancefloor that proved joy is a strategy too’
On the evening of 23rd July 2024, something beautiful unfolded at the Mövenpick Hotel in Nairobi. SRHR Alliance partners, gathered not just to close a chapter, but to honor a movement.
The SRHR Alliance Gala was a celebration marking the close of the Right Here Right Now programme in Kenya, a five-year journey of fierce advocacy, bold collaboration, and unrelenting work for young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). For half a decade, seven partners; SRHR Alliance Kenya, NGLHRC, Africa Media Trust, NAYA Kenya, CSA, DAYO, and Nairobits. have worked hand in hand to create meaningful change in SRHR. On this day, we paused to reflect, give thanks, and dance.
We were joined by committed allies, from the Royal Danish Embassy to government representatives like the National Council for Population and Development, our tireless SRHR partners, digital influencers, journalists, community champions, and of course, the young people at the heart of it all.
I had the honor of delivering the opening speech and later standing beside our Board Chair, Prof. Charles Wafula, to recognize the individuals and institutions that made this work possible. There were heartfelt remarks from youth leaders, bold commitments from government and media allies, and a powerful moment of storytelling, a video capturing who we are as the SRHR Alliance and what we stand for while the RHRN Lead M&E Officer walked us through our impact, reminding us just how far we’ve come.
But for me, one of the most memorable moments wasn’t on the formal programme. It was the laughter, the joy, the lightness, and dancing shared with our guests. As bell hooks reminds us, "there is humor even in revolution. There is joy in resistance." The commitments made by those in the room, to amplify youth voices, to champion multisectoral collaboration, to keep SRHR in the national conversation, were deeply affirming. They reminded us that SRHR is not a civil society issue. It’s a people’s issue. It belongs to all of us.
As I looked around the room, I saw our legacy in motion. A movement held together by courage, conviction, and connection. A space where young people felt at home, that, for me, is the loudest declaration of who we are. The SRHR Alliance was built for moments like this: where partnerships thrive, youth voices lead, and policy becomes people-centered.
I ended the night with a full heart, proud of what we’ve achieved, humbled by the journey, and fired up for what’s ahead. Our vision remains big: a permanent seat at the table for youth voices, stronger partnerships across sectors, and SRHR policies that are rooted in community realities.
Thank you to everyone who showed up, not just at the Gala, but over the last five years. Let’s continue this work together.
Leading with heart and purpose,
Judy Amina
