Former Miss SA Shudufhadzo Musida tackles mental health on a broader scale
"I will serve as a regional voice, will play an instrumental role in the advocacy of universal access to sexual and reproductive health as well as the mental health of women and girls in the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region."
Shudufhadzo Musida has made it her mission to prioritise mental health issues since winning the Miss SA title in 2020.
Her recent initiative was announced on Thursday, where Shudu took to Instagram to let the world know about her partnership with UNFPA - the @UnitedNations sexual and reproductive health agency.
She said the partnership was a dream come true for her.
"Today I get to live out my wildest dream and announce my partnership with the @unfpa as their new Regional Champion for East and Southern Africa," she wrote on IG.
READ: Shudufhadzo Musida: Mental health is a topic I am passionate about
She went on to address the link between mental health and sexual and reproductive health. Frontiers states that mental health challenges can heighten reproductive health vulnerabilities.
UNFPA, on the other hand, states that good sexual and reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system.
It adds that: "To maintain one’s sexual and reproductive health, people need access to accurate information and the safe, effective, affordable and acceptable contraception method of their choice.”
The former Miss SA also ties in the issue of human rights when it comes to sexual and reproductive health.
"Mental health is a crucial part of sexual and reproductive health and plays a significant role in individuals exercising their human rights," wrote Shudu on IG.
Shudu says her mission will be to promote access to sexual and reproductive health as well as mental health assistance for women and girls in the area where she will be acting as the champion.
"I will serve as a regional voice, will play an instrumental role in the advocacy of universal access to sexual and reproductive health as well as the mental health of women and girls in the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region."
Shudu said she is humbled for the opportunity to be an advocate of change.
"So humbled and honoured to be a part of this amazing organisation. The challenges we face are daunting and the path ahead may not be easy, but it is important, and I am ready for the task. ‘The legacy you leave behind are the lives you touch’, and that’s exactly what I intend to do as UNFPA Regional Champion," she wrote on IG.
The organisation has announced that it has teamed up with “a wide range of partners, works toward the goal of universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, including family planning."
See Shudu's posts below:
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Image courtesy of Instagram.