Lydia Collins is a facilitator, content creator and advocate with over 10 years of experience in sexual health education. In this episode, Lydia joins Shreya and new host Lauren to discuss what an anti-racist and intersectional approach to sexual health advocacy means and why it matters. They discuss overlapping identities like race, sexuality, gender and ability, and how these affect young people’s access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Lydia shares insight about breaking down practical barriers to SRHR for marginalized groups, the necessity of centering community needs and voices, and going beyond tokenism to truly listen to those directly impacted and act on their priorities. The group swaps personal stories about what sparked their passion for SRHR advocacy and shares tips about how youth can get involved.

*SHE SOARS, funded by Global Affairs Canada, is the Sexual and reproductive Health and Economic empowerment Supporting Out-of-school Adolescent girls’ Rights and Skills project. Learn more at: https://care.ca/shesoarsproject

Episode transcripts are available in French and English at: care.ca/shesoars.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the SHE SOARS podcast are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, standards and policies of CARE Canada. The SHE SOARS podcast is a youth-led initiative that provides space for young people to discuss global Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights with the purpose of raising awareness in Canada. Listeners acknowledge that the material and information presented in the podcast are for informational purposes only and do not constitute advice or services. The podcast is for private, non-commercial use and speakers do not necessarily reflect any organization they work for.