Young people need to be in charge of their own health. To ensure that this happens, “listen to our opinions, give us a voice, and also provide us with those spaces so that we will be able to advocate for our own issues because we are the experts of our own lives”, states Merci Niyibeshaho of Y+ Kenya. Watch her compelling message in the video below!
“Young people are faced with most health challenges in sexual and reproductive health services, new HIV infections, and mental health”
“Currently, young people are the ones faced with the most health challenges that we have right now globally. That is in terms of sexual and reproductive health services, increasing new HIV infections, and even mental health. This is why it is important that young people take responsibilities of their own health and lives to ensure that we are accountable for our own health, we are responsible and we own it in general. Also it is important to ensure that we take lead because we are the ones to know the challenges we are facing, where the problem is and even the solution to these challenges, because we are the experts of our own lives. To ensure that this happens, listen to our opinions, give us a voice, and also provide us with those spaces so that we will be able to advocate for our own issues because we are the experts of our own lives.”
About YouthWise
The YouthWise project aims to amplify the voices of young people living with HIV in Kenya and Malawi to enable them to practice self-care and fulfil their sexual and reproductive health and rights needs. YouthWise is a youth- and women-led project, implemented by Y+ Global, Y+ Kenya and Y+ Malawi which are networks of young people living with HIV, AYARHEP (Ambassador for Youth and Adolescent Reproductive Health Programmes) in Kenya and the Coalition of Women Living with HIV and AIDS (COWLHA) in Malawi.
There is a high need to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for adolescents and young people living with HIV. YouthWise aims to amplify the voices of young people living with HIV in Kenya and Malawi to enable them to practice self-care and fulfil their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) needs.
Young peopleRead more
On November 21, donors fell short of the Global Fund’s USD 18 billion target - a disappointing outcome at a time when increased support for HIV, TB and malaria is urgently needed. Now, 330 organisations worldwide are urging the European Commission to confirm a €800 million pledge ahead of the February 2026 Board Meeting. This would help ensure timely funding for country programmes and unlock €400 million in US matching funds. The Nov. 21 outcome fell short, but a stronger result is still possible - and the European Commission and EU Member States can play a key role, in line with Europe’s leadership in global health.
Read more
This open call for proposals invites community-based partners, medical institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to implement effective evidence-based approaches and interventions to reach new children and adolescents living with HIV (0-14) through testing and linking to anti-retroviral treatment and care in Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Nigeria.
Read more
