Young Activists at the 57th HRC: Reflections from Aizirek 

Hi Everyone! My name is Aizirek, and I’m a decolonial feminist activist from Kyrgyzstan. Since June, I’ve been working as an Advocacy and Communications Intern at CHOICE! As my internship comes to an end, I want to reflect on one of the key events I attended during this time: the 57th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC). This experience was incredibly important for me as a young activist to address the challenges young people face at such high-level forums.   

On a personal note, attending the HRC was deeply meaningful. As a child, I dreamed of participating in a UN event. Of course, back then, I wasn’t aware of the institutional issues within the UN or its frequent ineffectiveness in achieving social justice. Still, stepping into the UN building was a heartwarming moment that felt like fulfilling the dream of my younger self.    

CHOICE’s Role at the HRC 

CHOICE played a significant role at the HRC. One of our key missions was language advocacy. We provided input on various resolutions through the lens of meaningful and inclusive youth participation (MIYP) and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). 

From left to right: Hanna Mulugeta (DEC Ethiopia), Poppy Stanbury (CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality), Aizirek Erkebaeva (CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality), Sara Bahgat (SRHR Youth Ambassador), Frehiwot Tesfaye (DEC Ethiopia). 

One such resolution was “Youth and Human Rights,” which emphasizes the importance of promoting and fully realizing all human rights for young people. This resolution was particularly critical for CHOICE, as we were one of the only youth-led organizations at the Council. Another important resolution was the “Elimination of Domestic Violence,” aimed at addressing gender-based violence and taking action to end discrimination and harm against women and girls. 

My First Experience with Language Advocacy 

This was my first experience with language advocacy, and I quickly realized how deeply activists need to understand UN language and terminology. For example, during negotiations, it became clear which states support youth involvement and which oppose it. Some states explicitly resisted active youth participation in leadership roles, while others championed inclusive participation and decision-making. 

As an organization working primarily with and for young people, one of our main tasks was to observe these dialogues critically. This helped us identify potential allies among states to build networks and collaborations. I was especially impressed by my colleagues Poppy and Yasmine, who have a lot of experience navigating these negotiations professionally. They demonstrated how to advocate for CHOICE’s mission effectively!  

However, I must say that the process was emotionally draining. It was frustrating to see some states strongly oppose efforts to make the world more inclusive for young people from diverse backgrounds. 

Building Connections with Diplomats 

Another task during the HRC was connecting with state diplomats. Since it was my first time at the HRC, I wasn’t sure how to approach them “appropriately.” I relied on my experiences with government officials in my country and observed how my colleague Poppy handled these interactions. 

Most diplomats were open to conversations, but there was a noticeable power imbalance because it’s usually young people who have to approach diplomats, not the other way around. Unfortunately, even when you challenge stereotypes about young people being “unprofessional,” internalized ageism and imposter syndrome can make you feel “small” in these settings.  Therefore, I would strongly encourage diplomats to take the first step in initiating dialogue with young people, given their unique position and decision-making power at the UN! 

The YouthUpUN Campaign 

One of the main reasons we attended the HRC in September was to host a side event for the YouthUpUN campaign. Launched in 2019, this campaign amplifies young people’s voices in the Human Rights Council.  The event aimed to create a space for participants to learn and re-learn how to engage in advocacy at the UN in ways that meaningfully address the concerns of young people from diverse backgrounds. Activities included a panel discussion with young activists, presentations on the campaign’s goals, and a Bingo game to test participants’ knowledge of the UN. 

As one of the panelists, I spoke about the feminist movement “Erkin Kyz Koomu” (from Kyrgyz “Community of Free Girls”), which I founded in 2021. I also shared insights about my political and feminist activism in Kyrgyzstan and my personal struggles as a young activist. 

 
Photo from a march dedicated to International Women's Day, Kyrgyzstan, 2022.

The YouthUpUN event attracted participants from diverse backgrounds, including civil society organizations, country missions in Geneva, and international organizations like OHCHR. This diversity fostered discussions on MIYP and helped build a network for collaboration. Additionally, we shared resources and toolkits from the YouthUpUN campaign to help participants incorporate MIYP practices into their work. 

Addressing Structural Inequalities at the UN