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Information Technology for Development

Author ORCID Identifier

Channel Zhou: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3435-6249

Caroline Khene: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5673-8061

Ingrid Siebörger: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9908-7614

Abstract

Youth play a crucial role in social development, yet their voices are often underrepresented in policy discussions on sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) that directly impact them. In Southern Africa, where SRH challenges persist despite ongoing interventions, socio-cultural, political, and religious barriers limit youth participation, further complicated by geopolitical tensions and diminishing aid. While research highlights the importance of addressing ‘vulnerabilising contexts’ rather than merely identifying ‘vulnerable youth’, effective mechanisms for youth advocacy remain limited. Digital citizen participation (DCP) platforms provide opportunities for youth to report access barriers and generate data for decision-making. However, the collection of sensitive SRH data necessitates responsible governance among diverse stakeholders with varying interests. This research examines the responsible data practices necessary for effective and ethical digital participation in SRHR initiatives for young people in Southern Africa. Applying Contextual Integrity theory to structure information flows between stakeholders, this conceptual paper leverages key parameters – contexts, attributes, and transmission principles – to examine the nature of responsible data and privacy in DCP for SRHR. The resulting framework offers guidance for ethical data governance in youth SRHR digital initiatives that centre contextual appropriateness and youth agency, while identifying critical questions regarding who should define transmission principles and whether data sharing rules should be explicit or shaped by implicit norms.

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