Celebrating African Queer Female Youth: Centering Queer Youth in SDG Progress

This August Questpro Women Foundation joins the rest of the world in the global celebration of youth, spotlighting their creativity, energy and potential to shape a better future. International Youth Day was observed on August 12 this year with the theme ‘Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond.’ This theme underscores the power of young people to translate global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into impactful, community-driven initiatives. At QuestPro Women Foundation, a Pan-African Queer-feminist organization, we celebrate African queer female youth with unwavering focus. They are seen, celebrated, powerful and loved. Our mission is to empower these young women to lead local actions that advance SDGs like gender equality (SDG 5), decent work (SDG 8), quality education (SDG 4) and inclusive communities (SDG 11), while addressing the unique challenges they face across the continent.

Africa’s youth population is a cornerstone of its future. Over 454.5 million people aged 15 to 34 live on the continent, accounting for approximately 35% of the 1.3 billion total population. By 2030, projections indicate African youth will make up 42% of the world’s young population. Women and girls represent over 200 million of these individuals, driving change in communities across the continent. Data on queer youth remains limited due to stigma and underreporting, but estimates suggest 3-10% of African youth, or roughly 12-40 million people, identify as LGBTQ+. Among them, African queer female youth face intersecting challenges of gender, sexuality and systemic exclusion, yet they lead with resilience and innovation. QuestPro Women Foundation centers their experiences, amplifying their voices and fostering their leadership to create inclusive, equitable societies.

Our commitment at QuestPro Women Foundation is to improve the lives of African queer female youth through initiatives that align with the International Youth Day 2025 theme. We support grassroots projects that localize SDGs to meet community needs. For example, our Yemoja Grant empowers queer female youth to launch ventures that drive economic and social change. In addition, our academic and mentorship programs like the Questpro Women Leadership Academy connect young women with feminist leaders across Africa, building skills in advocacy, entrepreneurship and policy reform.

African queer female youth face significant barriers. A 2016 survey by the African Queer Youth Initiative found 60% of LGBTQ+ youth experience discrimination in schools or workplaces, with higher rates for women due to gendered stigma. Access to healthcare is limited, with only 30% of queer youth in surveyed African countries feeling safe seeking medical services. Economic exclusion is stark, as youth unemployment in Africa averages 15%, often higher for queer individuals due to workplace bias. In countries like Uganda and Nigeria, where same-sex relationships face legal penalties, queer female youth navigate heightened risks. Yet, their resilience shines.

QuestPro Women Foundation also amplifies local youth actions through supporting and financing mental health programs that are aimed at reducing the 70% of queer youth reporting mental health challenges due to stigma ensuring a move towards attainment of SDG 3 (good health and well-being). We also fund community-driven projects in climate-smart start-ups by queer youth, contributing to SDG 13 (climate action).

Our feminist approach ensures African queer female youth lead the change they envision. We create platforms for their stories, from rural communities to urban centers through our podcast programs amplifying queer female voices, reaching hundreds of listeners and fostering dialogue on inclusion (SDG 16: peace, justice, and strong institutions). Our Pan-African network collaborates with organizations across the continent to support Queer youth Women in STEM advancing SDG 1 (no poverty).

We envision a future where African queer female youth thrive without fear or exclusion. They deserve equal access to education, employment and leadership roles. QuestPro Women Foundation equips them to build businesses, influence policies and strengthen communities across Africa. By supporting their local actions, we align with the 2025 International Youth Day theme, ensuring their contributions to the SDGs create lasting impact.