Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety Members Shine at Women and Transport X Building Feminist Cities 2024 Conference

Let’s talk about something super inspiring that happened recently in Nairobi, Kenya. Two representatives from the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety, Mary Abungu and Oliva Nalwadda, absolutely crushed it at the Women and Transport Africa X Building Feminist Cities 2024 Conference.

This event, hosted by the Flone Initiative from December 4–6, 2024, was all about shaking things up in Africa’s transport sector. The big focus? Gender equality, inclusivity, and innovation. Flone Initiative is on a mission to revamp public transport in Africa, making it safer and more accessible, especially for women, professionals, and people with disabilities.

Mary and Oliva were part of a panel called “Women Leading the Way in Road Safety: Honoring the Legacy of Zoleka Mandela.” They paid tribute to Zoleka Mandela’s incredible work advocating for road safety, especially for kids and other vulnerable road users. The panel was led by Nyawira Maina, the Country Corporate Manager at Little Cab, and it brought together some inspiring voices in sustainable mobility, advocacy, and youth-led change.

Mary, from SUMO Africa, gave us all a glimpse into her world as a transportation engineer in Kenya. She talked about how sustainable mobility is key to building safer and more inclusive transport systems. One highlight? Her work on the Connect the Dots, Save a Life Local Actions project focuses on improving road safety data sharing and getting stakeholders to collaborate more effectively. Mary also shared her thoughts on sustainable mobility policies in Kenya, calling for strategies that put safety, eco-friendliness, and accessibility first. Her commitment to making transport better for everyone was so inspiring, and it’s clear she’s making a real impact

Oliva is a member of the Youth Leadership Board and Youth Ambassador for the FIA Foundation. She’s all about grassroots movements and how young people can lead the charge for road safety. Her message? Youth-driven initiatives have the power to push for policies that prioritise the safety of women, kids, and other vulnerable road users. Basically, Oliva’s out here proving that young people can make big things happen.

By representing the Global Youth Coalition and YOURS (Youth for Road Safety), Mary and Oliva showed the world that youth voices aren’t just a nice addition to the conversation, they’re driving real change. They’re living proof that young leaders can shape the future of road safety and help create more inclusive, safer cities.

So, what’s the big takeaway? Youth leadership is a game-changer. With organisations like the Global Youth Coalition, young people have a platform to connect, collaborate, and inspire change on a global level. Mary and Oliva are just two examples of what’s possible when young leaders step up, and honestly? The future looks pretty bright.