Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, young people have stepped up as front-line responders, activists and innovators. “We must validate the leadership of young people,” says UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on International Youth Day. © UNFPA Palestine

From shuttered schools and jobs, the pandemic has created hardships for young people – yet they are front and centre in the response. Nelea is part of a youth initiative providing older people with socially distanced visits and other help. © UNFPA Moldova

In Nepal, this adolescent girls’ group usually campaigns to end child marriage. Today, they raise awareness about COVID-19, share tips on maintaining menstrual hygiene under lockdown, and distribute hygiene supplies to quarantine centres. © UNFPA Nepal

Physiotherapist Beira is assisted while shopping in North Macedonia. Young people with disabilities face rising barriers under lockdown, including limited access to essential materials and services. © UNFPA North Macedonia

In addition to distributing hygiene supplies, UNFPA and youth partners are providing accurate infection control information. In Eritrea, over a thousand young people have been deployed to disinfect public spaces and help raise awareness. © UNFPA Eritrea

Young Egyptians with the partner group Y-Peer have assembled more than 11,000 kits containing hygiene supplies and health information, which have been delivered to vulnerable communities and hospitals throughout Cairo. © UNFPA Egypt

UNFPA’s youth partners are also providing assistance to the waves of migrants seen in Latin America and the Caribbean. Here, in Haiti, young people have their temperature checked as they return following pandemic-related job losses abroad. © UNFPA Haiti

And around the world, young people are rising voices in the call for inclusiveness and equality. In Kyrgyzstan, youth deliver food and medicine to LGBTQI people facing increased vulnerability under the pandemic. © Kyrgyz Indigo