Bertha Chulu: Becoming an Adolescent Health Activist

I’m Bertha Chulu from Zambia, and I am one of the regional and global youth panel members. I was born and raised in the eastern part of Zambia, specifically in Chipata District.

Ever since I was young, I’ve had a strong passion for radio. It’s been a significant part of my life, and I even had the chance to be a presenter for children’s programs for several years, continuing even after finishing high school. Through my work as a presenter, I faced various challenges that young people encounter and saw firsthand the impact these challenges have on their lives.

During my time in an all-girls secondary school, I witnessed the heartbreaking reality of the school losing many students to teenage pregnancies and child marriages. However, it made me realize that I could make a difference by using my voice and the resources available to me. That realization led me on a path to becoming an adolescent health activist.

Seeing girls transform and witnessing their efforts to improve their health-seeking behaviours served as a powerful motivation for me to raise awareness about teenage pregnancies. I’ve actively contributed to interventions where we rescued young girls from marriages and helped them reintegrate into school. Additionally, I’ve used social media as a platform to advocate for support.

Being a part of the Make-Way program’s youth panel means so much to me. It provides a platform for me to bring my own experiences and perspective to designing interventions that reach those who are most marginalized. It’s an incredible opportunity to connect with other youth panel members and collaborate on integrating young people’s ideas and perspectives into the Make Way program. This program has significantly enhanced my capacity, and I’m excited to continue making a local and global impact!