AGIP at the Evidence to Impact Symposium: Shaping Adolescent-Centred Policies and Programmes in Eastern and Southern Africa.
From 9–11 June 2026, AGIP joined more than 300 researchers, policymakers, practitioners, funders, civil society organisations, and youth advocates in Nairobi, Kenya, for the Evidence to Impact Symposium: Shaping Adolescent-Centred Policies and Programmes in Eastern and Southern Africa. Co-hosted by Population Council Kenya, the Government of Kenya, and regional and global partners, the symposium explored how stronger evidence can shape policies, programmes, and investments that improve adolescent wellbeing across the region.
For AGIP, the symposium was also an opportunity to reconnect with coalition members, exchange ideas, and learn from the growing body of evidence being generated across the adolescent girls’ ecosystem.
Evidence that speaks to reality
Throughout the symposium, AGIP members demonstrated the importance of pairing rigorous research with practical action and lived experiences.
GAGE (Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence) presented findings from its longitudinal research examining how conflict continues to shape adolescent health, wellbeing, and access to essential services. Drawing on evidence from Ethiopia, the research highlighted worrying trends, including increasing food insecurity, declining access to social protection, rising levels of depression among young people, and the continued impact of violence within households. At the same time, the session reinforced the value of long-term research in understanding how adolescents’ lives change over time and why these insights are critical for designing responsive policies and programmes.
At another session, AMPLIFY Girls shared findings from the Binti Shupavu randomised controlled trial in rural Tanzania. Presented by Aikande Muro, the session explored the pathways through which adolescent girls build agency and the importance of investing in interventions that strengthen girls’ confidence, decision-making, and opportunities. The discussion underscored that girls’ agency does not develop in isolation but is shaped by families, communities, education systems, and the broader environments in which girls grow up.
Closing the evidence gaps
AGIP also joined Girls Not Brides, together with the UNFPA–UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage, UNICEF Innocenti, and WHO-HRP, for a collaborative workshop examining critical evidence gaps on Girl Centred Interventions to inform the Shared Global Research Agenda to Prevent and Respond to Child Marriage
35 researchers, practitioners, advocates, and youth leaders came together to reflect on evidence needed to better support girls, particularly adolescent mothers, parenting adolescents, and ever- married girls. Discussions highlighted the need for more research on how to engage boys and young men in addressing harmful social norms, improving access to adolescent friendly comprehensive sexuality education and sexual and reproductive health services, and identifying advocacy approaches that generate sustained political commitment to prevent and respond to child marriage.
Across the conversations, one message was clear: research must be grounded in girls’ lived realities, shaped by their voices, and designed to support practical, scalable action.
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From evidence to impact
Many of the reflections shared by Restless Development echoed a message that surfaced repeatedly throughout the symposium: there is no shortage of evidence on adolescents. Several speakers encouraged having evidence informs policy, financing, implementation , and accountability.
Participants repeatedly emphasised that evidence becomes meaningful when it is translated into stories, policies, and programmes that improve young people’s lives. This requires researchers, governments, civil society organisations, funders, and young people themselves to work together not only to generate knowledge but to champion it and ensure it is acted upon.
“Young people are experts in their own realities. They understand the challenges they face and are often best placed to identify solutions.” ~ Juliet Nakazibwe Head of Programs Restless Development Uganda
Another important conversation centred on participation. Several speakers challenged the sector to create more opportunities for adolescents to contribute directly to research and policymaking, while also recognising the growing importance of engaging boys and young men. In the context of shrinking civic space and the increasing influence of harmful online narratives, participants stressed that achieving gender equality requires creating spaces where boys can learn, unlearn, and become allies alongside girls.
Looking ahead
As the symposium came to a close, one reflection remained with us: evidence alone does not create change. Change happens when research is accessible, when young people shape the conversations, and when organisations work together to translate knowledge into action.
For AGIP, the symposium reinforced the value of collaboration across the coalition and wider ecosystem. Connecting with colleagues from GAGE, Girls Not Brides, AMPLIFY Girls, and Restless Development served as a reminder that while each organisation contributes unique expertise, our collective impact is greatest when we bring evidence, advocacy, and adolescent leadership together to shape a future where every girl can thrive.
By Jean from Girls Not Brides, Eglah Restless Development, Aikande Muro, AMPLIFY Girls compiled by Asha Mukanda AGIP
