Youth
Since 2016, youth representatives from MenEngage networks around the world have been meeting as part of the Global Youth Reference Group. The Youth Reference Group is made up of young activists, experts, and leaders who play a key role in guiding the work of the MenEngage Alliance at the local, national, regional, and international levels.
Members of the Youth Reference Group are nominated by the MenEngage regional networks and by representatives of the “At-Large” members.
Youth Reference Group
Alex Nelson (he/him)
Alex Nelson is a gender justice advocate with a Master's in International Human Rights at the University of Denver. With a strong foundation in qualitative research, writing, and community organizing, he seeks to integrate intersectional feminism across spaces and contexts. As a member of the YRG, Alex spearheads a MenEngage NAMEN Chapter at the Korbel School. He is also an avid public speaker and learner of foreign languages.
Oppressions may differ in form but can also produce overlapping frustrations. This is why we must start engaging with men within spaces and contexts that are most familiar to them. That way, conversations around gender justice can achieve relevance within the fabric of their daily lives.
Béléyi Koutchouka Languie (she/her)
LANGUIE Béléyi Koutchouka is the Chair of the Youth Network of MenEngage Togo and currently holds the position of Chair of the MenEngage Africa Youth Reference Group, where she advocates for gender justice and meaningful youth participation at regional and continental levels. As an activist for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), she works to raise awareness, promote access to services, and empower young people to lead informed and healthy lives.
Putting comprehensive sexuality education at the heart of education and making Togo a hub for comprehensive sexuality education is not just a challenge, but a goal that can be achieved.
Henry Mitchel (he/him)
As an eco-social worker, researcher, and educator, I focus on the critical areas of climate resilience, mental health, gender, technology, and governance. I am dedicated to integrating social justice, environmental sustainability, and health equity, with a focus on empowering marginalized communities and incorporating Indigenous knowledge systems for community-driven and based solutions in the policymaking process .
Small conversations can lead to big change. When men challenge the idea that ‘real men’ don’t show or care about emotions or how caring about the environment is ‘women’s work,’ they open doors for change, for breaking free from outdated gender roles, witnessing an improvement in personal well-being, and addressing larger issues like climate change as well.
Irene Ogeta (she/her)
Irene Ogeta is a passionate young feminist advocate and Program Officer for Young Women's Advocacy, Membership, and Development at ATHENA Network. With a strong commitment to gender justice and youth leadership, she also serves on the MenEngage Global Alliance Board and Youth Reference Group, where she works to ensure that youth voices—especially those of young women—are meaningfully represented in global conversations around gender justice, masculinities, and accountability.
It’s a rare and powerful experience to be in spaces where leadership, expertise, and lived experience—especially from young people—are truly valued. I’m proud to serve as one of the youngest members of the MenEngage Global Board, a space that actively embraces feminist principles of inclusion, equity, and shared power. Being part of this cross-generational leadership space is not only an honor, but a reminder of the importance of centering youth voices in our collective struggle for gender and social justice.
Kelly Fisher (he/him)
Kelly Fisher is a senior advisor at Reform - Resource Centre for Men. Reform is an NGO based in Norway and works on a number of projects and initiatives so that boys and men are better included in gender equality work. Kelly leads a number of projects at Reform targeted towards young boys and men promoting healthier norms and attitudes. Additionally, Kelly is a member of the MenEngage Alliances Youth Reference Group (YRG). The YRG's aim is the inclusion and support of youth for gender equality through the promotion of youth leadership and engagement.
If we want to address some of the challenges we see in online spaces promoting anti-feminist and problematic notions of masculinity, then we also need to include young people’s perspectives on how to best address these issues.I am proud to be a part of the MenEngage Youth Reference Group, which highlights the importance of youth leadership and perspectives when promoting gender equality.
Randall Theodule (he/him)
Randall Theodule is a human rights advocate from Saint Lucia with over a decade of experience in community organizing and advocacy across the Eastern Caribbean. He is currently employed with the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE), where he supports initiatives that advance gender justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and inclusive development throughout the region. Passionate about community empowerment and social change, he is committed to strengthening movements that promote dignity, equality, and opportunity for all.
My work with the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE) continues to remind me that meaningful change happens when we create spaces for dialogue, accountability, and collective action. By engaging men, boys, and policymakers in conversations about gender justice and human rights, we can help transform harmful norms and build more inclusive communities across the Caribbean.
Sari Kamiyama (She/They)
Sari Kamiyama is a graduate researcher in sociology and gender studies at Waseda University, focused on men and masculinities studies. She is the founder and president of the International Men and Masculinities Studies Society (IMSS), a student organisation in Tokyo. Sari is an individual member of the MenEngage Alliance, and an active member of the Youth Reference Group and the Climate and Environmental Justice Working Group of the Alliance.
By talking with men about how they experience and perceive their own masculinity, I aim to make gender issues relevant to everyone—not only women or minorities—and to create narratives that encourage broader engagement with gender issues.
Shalinee Bahadur (she/her)
Shalinee Bahadur is a young Indo-Caribbean activist committed to the struggle for gender justice and social change. Based in Trinidad and Tobago, Shalinee is the Administrator for the Caribbean Male Action Network (CariMAN) which is a network of individuals and organizations in the Caribbean working on transforming masculinities. She is also a youth representative on the Global MenEngage Youth Reference Group. As an advocate in the space for over five years, she continues to use her knowledge to help empower others.
The work being done to transform masculinities in the Caribbean is not just important, it's essential. It's about creating a future where everyone can thrive and it’s inspiring to see the impact this work is having on individuals, families, and communities.