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Youth-Led Advocacy: Young Women Driving Legislative Change in the Caribbean

August 29, 2025 | Activity

Young people aren’t just the future—they’re the present. To shape national decision-making meaningfully, they must be equipped with the tools, knowledge, networks, and opportunities to take their rightful place as partners in governance. This belief was at the heart of a recent virtual gathering hosted by ParlAmericas, the UN Women Multi-Country Office for the Caribbean, and Caribbean Women in Leadership (CIWiL), under the theme “Youth-Led Advocacy: Shaping Policy and Legislation.”

The session brought together alumnae from youth parliamentary programmes like Young Women in Leadership (YWiL) and YES! Leadership, creating a vibrant space for exchanging strategies, sharing lessons, and charting new paths for youth-led advocacy across the Caribbean.

One message rang loud and clear: youth leadership is most powerful when it drives real change.

Take the 2022 YWiL Saint Lucia programme, for example. In a historic all-women simulated parliamentary debate, participants advocated for the removal of value-added tax on menstrual products—a bold move that showcased how young women’s voices can influence legislative priorities. As Nana Oye Hesse Bayne, President of CIWiL, noted, this is proof that advocacy led by young women can lead to tangible outcomes.

But recognizing one’s power is just the beginning.

To turn advocacy into action, young leaders must understand how to navigate the legislative and policy-making landscape. Chrisette Benjamin, Gender Equality Programme Officer at ParlAmericas, emphasized the importance of knowing the legislative cycle—identifying entry points to influence change, whether through engaging parliamentarians, sharing data, or mobilizing public support.

Monique Long, UN Women Caribbean Planning and Coordination Specialist, expanded the conversation by offering practical strategies for policy advocacy. From mapping influencers and assessing priorities to using storytelling and media outreach, she highlighted tools that help young advocates build coalitions and push for effective policy change.

The session also spotlighted the work of civil society organizations like the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN). Shannique Bowden, JYAN’s Executive Director, shared how her organization has advanced youth-led legislative advocacy through youth manifestos, stakeholder engagement, and parliamentary submissions. Their efforts have even influenced recommendations by a Joint Select Committee reviewing Jamaica’s Sexual Offences Act—though implementation remains a work in progress.

What emerged from the discussion was a shared conviction: young people—especially young women—are essential drivers of legislative and policy transformation. Through the YWiL Network, ParlAmericas is proud to continue partnering with UN Women Caribbean and CIWiL to support these leaders in shaping a more inclusive and responsive democratic future.

This meeting was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.