Youth Guide to Action on Maternal Health - Women Deliver

1.Get Inspired2Get inspired by the leaders ofthe maternal health communityGet inspired by the words and actionsof your fellow youth advocates“It is often said that young people are our future. They areour present, <strong>to</strong>o. It is <strong>to</strong>day, and not <strong>to</strong>morrow, that we mustinvest in young people and include them in solving the greatchallenges of our times... Now is the time <strong>to</strong> make greaterinvestments in young people, especially adolescent girls, sothey can reach their full potential. Investing in young people<strong>to</strong>day is an investment in a sustainable future.”—Thoraya Obaid, Executive Direc<strong>to</strong>r ofthe United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)“At Women Deliver we believe in the core theme:Invest in Women—It Pays! But we also believethat investing in young people—in their health,their education, and their opportunities—isone of the smartest investments any nationcan make. Today’s youth are the ones who willcarry the Women Deliver movement in<strong>to</strong> thenext generation, and they are the ones who willcontinue <strong>to</strong> deliver solutions for girls and women.We must equip them now with the knowledge,resources, and inspiration <strong>to</strong> carry that <strong>to</strong>rch.”—Jill Sheffield, President of Women Deliver“The best feeling in the world for me is when I accomplishsomething that other people never believed I wouldaccomplish. There is a saying that goes like this: “When lifegives you lemons, make GRAPE juice. Then, sit back andwatch the world as they wonder how you did it!!”—Nancy Leiva, Belize“The knowledge that by passing along the essentialmessages of sexual and reproductive health andrights, I can influence the quality of life of a person,a family, and eventually a community, is rewarding.”—Thiagi Piyadasa, Sri Lanka“I am inspired by the women of Kenya, whodespite the harsh conditions they live under,always have a warm smile. I am inspired by peoplewho have worked hard <strong>to</strong> be where they are, andbeat the odds. I am inspired by people whose life’smission is <strong>to</strong> better the lives of others. I believetrue fulfillment comes from this.”“When I see the rate of maternal deaths and the causes, Icannot stand aside and do nothing. We need <strong>to</strong> take actionsand advocate for safe motherhood in the world. A woman iseither our mother or sister or aunt, so when we hear aboutmaternal death, it can be OUR mother or our sister or aunt.I believe that every one of us can play his/her role in thecommunity <strong>to</strong> reduce maternal mortality. And this is whatinspires me every day of my life <strong>to</strong> work with people of mycountry <strong>to</strong> advocate for the improvement of maternal health.”—FranÇois Zoungrana, Burkina Faso—Anne Musuva, Kenya