Background
We want to change the future for young Africans. Our vision is that 100% of Girls & Young Women in sub-Saharan Africa will have access to engaging sexual health education by 2025.
- The youth population (15-24) of the region will more than double reaching nearly 380 million by 2050
- We know that Africa suffers with 69 million cases of STIs each year
- We know that HIV prevalence >15% (WHO) is dominated by sub-Saharan Africa
- We know that 75% of abortions in the region are deemed unsafe
How can the region’s youth be expected to deliver their full potential and achieve economic prosperity against such a backdrop of unprecedented sexual health challenges?
There is a pressing need for a new generation of innovation and ideation to deliver a combination of HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health services for people of higher risk to HIV, STIs and unintended pregnancies. It’s why we have partnered with the University of the Witwatersrand Business School (Wits) for our Aspire, Higher project – judging for which takes place on 16 July 2020.
About
We’ve already commenced our Aspire, Higher programme in South Africa with Wits and are identifying partners in Nigeria for a 2021 roll out there. The Wits MBA students’ entries will be judged on 16 July and this document provides more details on the virtual event.
The Challenge for students at Wits Business School: to develop innovative, game-changing ideas to improve women and girls’ sexual health education and enhance female economic empowerment.
All entries will be shortlisted by RB/Wits between now and the end of June. The top 5 entries will present their ideas virtually on 16 July and tell the judges how their concepts meet our challenge. The winners will win a share of the available investment provided.
The top 3 projects selected will then go into Johannesburg field trials – commencing August 2020 onwards. These trials are the opportunity to further develop and scale the winning ideas, and ultimately change lives.
Online Showcase
The 16 July is not just the point at which the pilot projects are chosen, but it’s also an opportunity to showcase our collective ‘Purpose’ credentials and commitment to tackling this critical sexual health challenge.
The judging panel will hear presentations from each of the 5 shortlisted candidates and have an opportunity to ask any further questions to better understand their solutions to change the future for young Africans. This will take place through an online call and will be moderated virtually.
The panel will then select the 3 most innovative entries, which will be announced at the end of the virtual showcase.
Judging Panel
Quick Links
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Wits Business School (WBS): Competition exclusively open to WBS students and Wits University Postgraduates.
Reckitt Benckiser Group (RB), a consumer health company and the makers of Durex condoms: Project partner and competition funder.
Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI), a Centre for excellence at WBS: Project facilitator.
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), an advocate for global action on HIV/AIDS: Key project advice/advocacy partner.
