Welcome to the new SheDecides Champions!
16th June 2022
At SheDecides+5, eight new Champions were formally welcomed to the movement, each committing to taking action so women, girls and young people everywhere can decide about their bodies, lives and future. Read more about the new Champions and their commitments here.
Minister for International Development Cooperation, Sweden
"Being a SheDecides Champion is to stand up and speak out for every person’s right to decide freely over their own body. I am proud to be Sweden’s new Champion.
Sweden is fully committed – politically and financially – to ensuring sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. Strong words must be backed up by substantial and flexible funding. Sweden is providing both to UNFPA and UN Women so that #SheDecidesHerFuture."
Watch Minister Ernkrans' introductory speech here.
Minister of Social Development, South Africa
"As a new SheDecides Champion I look forward to working with all other like-minded Champions and parters across the globe, to stand up and speak out for policies and programmes that are responsive to women and girls' lived experiences."
Watch Minister Zulu's commitment to action here.
Minister for International Development, Canada
"I am proud to continue Canada's long standing support as a SheDecides Champion in upholding sexual and reproductive health and rights."
Co-founder, Voices for Choices and Rights Coalition, Namibia
"As a new SheDecides Champion I commit to expanding and intensifying my lens of intersectionality for women, sexual, gender and sex minorities with intersecting vulnerabilities affecting their socio-political and economic development so #SheDecidesHerFuture."
Watch Ndiilo's powerful call to action so SheDecides now here.
Executive Director, Haven for Artists, Lebanon
"As a new SheDecides Champion, I commit to transnational solidarity and implementing intersectional feminist principles in our fight for bodily autonomy and agency. We must stand up and speak out against all forms of gender-based violence, and the systems that enable them, varying from capitalism to colonialism. No matter the time, place or context, #SheDecidesHerFuture."
Watch Dayna's inspiring urge for us to design our own freedom here.
Executive Director, Si Jeunesse Savait (Mwasi) Association, Democratic Republic of the Congo
"As a new SheDecides Champion, I will stand up and speak out for the rights of women and girls throughout my community and the world by advocating for their reproductive justice rights and specifically access to comprehensive safe abortion services, access to social and economic justice, respect and the right to enjoy their sexual orientation, gender expression and identity to create a world where they decide for themselves what their future will be. So #SheDecidesHerFuture."
Watch Richine's commitment to ensure young people are centred in the fight for bodily autonomy here.
Founder, SLETATE - Palestine
"As a new SheDecides Champion, I commit to normalizing the talk on women's sexual and reproductive health and rights in my country, and continuously stand up for women's bodily autonomy, so #SheDecidesHerFuture."
Watch Enas' passionate speech here.
Director for Central America and Mexico, Ipas
"As a new SheDecides Champion I look forward joining forces with other champions to advance abortion rights and reproductive justice everywhere, especially in Latin America, ensuring a meaningful youth participation so that #SheDecidesHerFuture."
Watch Maria's speech here.