Southern Africa: UNFPA Launches Groundbreaking Digital Innovation Strategy and Toolkit to Help End FGM and Child Marriage in East and Southern AfricaJohannesburg, South Africa — With the clock ticking towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals , UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency announced a groundbreaking new initiative to help create a safer world where women and girls can live free from violence and harmful practices, to achieve their fullest potential.
The toolkit, titled Addressing Harmful Practices through Social Innovation: A UNFPA Innovation Guide for 'YOU' and Startups, offers valuable resources for young innovators. It provides practical guidance and connects users to social enterprise growth support both within and outside Africa. This interactive, self-help toolkit fosters the development of new ideas and encourages young people to participate actively in their own development.
Mark Marangu, founder of Tutor Register from Kenya, emphasized the importance of sustainable financing for innovative projects. He spoke of how support from organizations like UNFPA was instrumental in developing and scaling his innovative idea into a successful product. The toolkit and the Regional Innovation and Digital Transformation Strategy are expected to positively impact several SDGs in the region.