When the World Health Organization released its first global guidelines on the use of GLP-1 medicines for obesity treatment, the Stowelink Foundation was proud to see its lived-experience leadership represented at the highest level. Through the participation of our founder and Global Advocacy Lead, Ogweno Stephen, the Foundation contributed to shaping a guideline that reflects not only science and ethics—but also the realities of communities across Africa.

For Stowelink, this milestone is deeply rooted in our mission: ensuring that youth voices, lived experience champions and African perspectives sit at every decision-making table shaping the future of NCD care.

Our involvement in the WHO Guideline Development Group helped ensure that the document reflected the struggles often overlooked in clinical debates—stigma, access, cultural context and the silent burden faced by families living with obesity in low-resource settings.

Africa’s Rising Obesity Crisis: A Challenge Stowelink Has Long Worked to Address

On December 2, 2025, Stowelink’s leadership joined France24 to unpack what these new guidelines mean for Africa. The message was clear: the continent is facing one of its fastest-growing health crises.

• Adult obesity has risen from 8% in 2010 to over 12% today
• Some countries, like South Africa and Seychelles, face rates above 30%
• Families increasingly experience under-nutrition and obesity simultaneously

This “double burden” continues to overwhelm health systems already stretched by infectious diseases. Through our programs, Stowelink has seen firsthand how obesity fuels diabetes, hypertension, stroke and heart disease—conditions that disproportionately affect young people and households with limited access to care.

Why the WHO GLP-1 Guidelines Matter for Africa

The new guidelines represent a turning point:

• Obesity is recognized as a chronic, treatable disease—not a cosmetic issue.
• GLP-1 medications are acknowledged as evidence-based tools for reducing risk and improving quality of life.
• Listing these medicines as essential opens pathways for affordable access in African countries.

However, barriers remain—cost, cold-chain storage, supply systems and lack of awareness. Stowelink is calling for pooled African procurement, similar to the models used for HIV and TB medications, to ensure equitable access.

These guidelines offer Kenya and the region a chance to shift from crisis management to prevention, early intervention and compassionate care.

Stowelink’s Role in Advancing Global and Local Advocacy

Our engagement at WHO builds on a strong history of leadership:

• Representing Kenyan civil society at the World Health Assembly, where we spoke on obesity, food environments and access to treatment
• Producing youth-led NCD advocacy, cross-country education programs and digital tools reaching millions across 10 African countries
• Leading local evidence generation, including the NCDs 365 Project, innovative health education games, and large-scale youth engagement initiatives
• Partnering with global bodies such as the World Obesity Federation and Olympic Movement to elevate African youth voices

This year alone, the Foundation has contributed to major global conversations—from the UN in New York to regional NCD conferences—demonstrating the power of lived experience to influence policy and clinical guidance.

Why This Moment Matters for Kenya

Kenya faces rising rates of obesity across both adults and children. Many families still lack information, access to services, and supportive environments for healthy living. The WHO guidelines offer the country an opportunity to:

• Integrate obesity treatment into national benefit packages
• Improve primary health care responses
• Reduce stigma and misconceptions
• Protect families from preventable complications such as diabetes and kidney failure

Stowelink will continue working with government, civil society and youth networks to drive implementation, education and awareness at scale.

From Lived Experience to Global Impact

Stowelink Foundation’s journey began with a commitment to ensure that African voices—especially youth and those with lived experience—shape the future of NCD prevention and care. Participating in the development of the WHO GLP-1 guidelines reflects how far this mission has come.

We believe this moment sends a powerful message to every young person affected by obesity:
Your story matters. Your health matters. And your voice can shape global policy.

Stowelink will continue championing equitable, evidence-driven, and people-centered approaches to obesity care from Kenya to the world.

Access the WHO GLP-1 guideline publication here:
https://app.magicapp.org/#/guideline/LrRxrL