Youth Networker Americas and the Caribbean Regional Office
International Planned Parenthood Federation
Colombia
Daniela Urquijo, or as she prefers to be called, Ela, is a youth activist from the Colombian Caribbean who has been advocating for sexual and reproductive rights since the age of 12. Growing up in a region marked by inequalities, she turned her personal commitment into collective action for sexual and reproductive health and rights, founding her own activist school during the COVID-19 pandemic to train adolescents in Colombia on issues of bodily autonomy, gender justice, and civic participation.
Her work bridges grassroots organizing and regional advocacy: she has led initiatives that amplify the voices of young people, particularly girls and adolescents, ensuring they are recognized as key actors in shaping public policies. Currently, Ela serves as a Youth Networker at IPPF Americas and the Caribbean Regional Office (ACRO), where she connects youth-led movements, builds leadership opportunities, and strengthens advocacy for comprehensive sexuality education and reproductive justice across the region.
Driven by her belief that youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow but the protagonists of today, Ela continues to champion autonomy, equality, and resilience at the intersection of health, gender, and the environment.
30
Jan
PS 3.5
Generation Now: Youth Leadership at the Nexus of Health, Gender, and the Environment