Shudufhadzo (Shudu) Abigail Musida, Miss South Africa 2020 and published author, has been appointed as UNFPA's Regional Champion. The partnership will promote the rights of women, girls and youth, and contribute to Africa’s Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals and UNFPA’s three transformative results - ending preventable maternal death, ending unmet need for family planning, and ending gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful practices. By serving as a regional voice, Ms. Musida will play an instrumental role in advocating for universal access to sexual and reproductive health, as well as the mental health of women and girls in the East and Southern Africa region.

About Shudufhadzo Musida

Ms. Musida is an author, philanthropist, and a champion of marginalized women and youth, working to ensure no one is left behind. She is also a South African public speaker, who uses her voice as a pageant winner to advocate for universal access to health care, especially mental health for women, girls and the youth. She believes that we all have a role to play in providing opportunities to young women and girls to achieve their full potential.

Ms. Musida earned her bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and obtained an Honours degree in International Relations from the Universities of Pretoria and Witwatersrand. During her reign as Miss South Africa, she published the children’s book “Shudu Finds Her Magic,” which confronts the pervasive issue of bullying in schools. She is a staunch advocate of ending digital violence, which is now common in the virtual world and has an impact on mental health.