The Mashujaa Network: youth-driven resilience for reproductive health and safe abortion in conflict-affected...

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and rights are fundamental to individual well-being and development. Yet, significant global gaps in access to SRH information and services threaten the lives and health of millions of individuals and their families. Protecting the health of vulnerable populations in conflict zones is a critical public health priority. There is a significant lack of evidence on effective approaches to delivering comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRH) interventions in these settings. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where unsafe abortion is a leading cause of maternal mortality, the Mashujaa Youth Referral Network was developed as an innovative, youth-led model to bridge this gap. By training young individuals as Mashujaa Champions, the network provides a trusted, community-based pathway for advocacy, peer education, and direct referral to safe abortion and other essential SRH services. This participatory approach demonstrates the profound potential of locally led initiatives to not only expand access to life-saving care and reduce stigma, but also to empower young people to become agents of change. Scaling this proven framework offers a sustainable solution for strengthening SRH resilience and reducing preventable maternal deaths in humanitarian contexts.