The Southern African Youth Forum (SAYoF-SADC), a Regional platform for Youth and Youth Organizations in the SADC Region under the African Union Youth Division’s #1MillionBy2021 initiative ran a campaign on 01 May 2020 on International Workers Day to honor and celebrate the Young Frontline Health Workers and Volunteers across Africa who are fighting the Coronavirus. SAYoF-SADC dedicated this day to celebrate the sacrifices being made by Youth Health Workers and Volunteers in the fight against COVID19 through the #OurCovidIcons campaign.
The Campaign which took the whole day got support from Young people across the African Continent who spent the day participating in the various online sessions as part of honoring the African Youth Workers and Volunteers who are fighting the Coronavirus. Also, African Youth Organizations were part of the #OurCovidIcons initiative as they took part by contributing to the discussions and also by sharing solidarity statements to mark the International Workers Day. The shared solidarity statements acknowledged the role being played by African Youth Health Workers and Volunteers in Africa during this COVID19 pandemic as well as noting the need for increased support and improved welfare for Youth Health workers and volunteers.
Young people from across Africa also took time to share inspirational quotes to honor fellow Youth Health workers who are dedicating their time risking their own lives to be on the frontline fighting against the Coronavirus. As the pressure continues to mount on the Health workforce due to the increase in the number of positive Coronavirus cases, the young people also shared various ideas on how the Youth Health workers and volunteers must be supported during this difficult moment when the World is faced by the Coronavirus pandemic. Young people in the Health sector also joined the conversations by SAYoF-SADC which were aimed at celebrating them and their work as Icons during this COVID19 pandemic under the #OurCovidIcons campaign.
