abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa has some of the longest ruling leaders in power and there are few structures which are inclusive of youth, either nationally, regionally or at continental level. In November 2018 the African Union (AU) appointed its first Youth Envoy and 10-member Youth Advisory Council (YAC). The move was historic and a step in the right direction. This piece offers a narrative based on unpacking personal experiences as a member of this YAC. Specifically, I reflect as a member of a faction who stood against holding a tokenistic youth position. The piece outlines an analysis of the key structural barriers and examples of what works well. This personal experience shines a spotlight on positionality: holding a position of power, yet being unable to influence the policy process. It also presents implications for young women-led movements which need to navigate this continental space. I reflect on the question: if an appointed representative could not manoeuvre the policy space effectively, how would women and girls who are activists on the ground take up the responsibility to begin to shift these spaces, organise on these issues and demand accountability?

摘要

撒哈拉以南非洲拥有一些执政时间最长的领导人，而且在国家、地区或大陆层面上，几乎没有包括青年的结构。2018 年 11 月，非洲联盟 (AU) 任命了其首位青年特使和 10 名成员的青年咨询委员会 (YAC)。此举具有历史意义，是朝着正确方向迈出的一步。这篇文章提供了一个基于解开作为该 YAC 成员的个人经历的叙述。具体来说，我是一个反对持有象征性青年立场的派系成员。这篇文章概述了对关键结构障碍的分析，以及有效的例子。这种个人经历凸显了位置性：持有权力地位，但无法影响政策进程。它还对需要在这个大陆空间中航行的年轻女性领导的运动产生影响。我反思这个问题：如果指定的代表不能有效地操纵政策空间，作为实地活动家的妇女和女孩将如何承担起开始转变这些空间、组织这些问题并要求问责的责任？