A groundbreaking policy motion advocating for the global integration of menstrual health and comprehensive sexual education into adolescent health policies has achieved top-tier recognition at the 2025 International Association for Adolescent Health (IAAH) World Congress. Submitted by Scrub Life Cares, a community-based nonprofit from Antigua and Barbuda, the initiative secured placement among the conference’s top three global priorities after receiving overwhelming 96.2% support from international delegates.
The motion addresses critical barriers to adolescent health and education, particularly in Caribbean regions where menstrual inequity persists as a significant challenge. Research consistently demonstrates that many young girls miss school or reduce participation in daily activities due to limited access to menstrual products, accurate information, and supportive environments. These challenges are further exacerbated by insufficient comprehensive sexual education, leaving adolescents without essential knowledge to make informed health decisions.
Founder and CEO Tanya Ambrose, MPH, described the powerful moment when the motion received immediate positive feedback during her presentation. ‘Hearing that encouragement in real time affirmed that this work matters far beyond our borders,’ Ambrose shared. ‘It was validation not just personally, but for the communities and region we represent.’
This achievement marks a significant milestone for both Antigua and Barbuda and the wider Caribbean region. Among ten motions selected for presentation, Scrub Life Cares’ submission stood as the only Caribbean-originated proposal, effectively centering Caribbean perspectives and lived experiences within global health policy discussions.
The virtual congress, which transitioned online due to Hurricane Melissa, convened adolescent health professionals from over twenty countries across six continents. While passed motions are not binding for the incoming IAAH Council, they establish the foundation for the organization’s Policy Agenda and guide advocacy priorities, strategic planning, and program development for the upcoming term.
Beyond policy advocacy, Scrub Life Cares was scheduled to present original qualitative research on day three of the conference, though organizers are currently reassessing research presentations due to the hurricane’s impact. The organization remains committed to sharing evidence-based research informed by Caribbean experiences to advance global adolescent health practices.
This recognition strengthens Scrub Life Cares’ ongoing initiatives to integrate menstrual health education into national school curricula, expand public-private partnerships for product accessibility, and support adolescent-centered public health systems throughout the Caribbean. As Ambrose emphasized, ‘This achievement belongs to every girl, parent, educator, advocate, and health professional working toward a future where menstrual health is recognized as a human right.’