News & storiesNew project enhances self-care of young people living with HIV
News & storiesNew project enhances self-care of young people living with HIV
New project enhances self-care of young people living with HIV
Last updated on: 05 March 2024
Together with young people living with HIV networks Y+ Global, Y+ Kenya, Y+ Malawi, and youth- and women-led organisations AYARHEP and COWLHA, Aidsfonds has initiated YouthWise.
This new four-year programme aims to amplify the voices of adolescents and 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, in a supportive and respectful environment.
It is the time we take charge of everything. I mean, everything
Elina Wasinga is a radiant young woman from Malawi working for the Coalition of Women living with HIV and AIDS. She explains why young people need to be in charge when it comes to their health. Watch her strong message in this lively vlog.
Activities in the first year
In 2022, YouthWise will train 290 young people living with HIV as advocates and peers. 8,900 adolescents and young people will be supported through peers and (online) support groups for young people living with HIV and become more treatment- and health literate. This makes them better understand the importance of treatment adherence and able to pro-actively seek information and support where needed.
We will work with 200 parents, community and religious leaders, journalists and other community duty bearers to change the discourse on HIV and adolescent’ SRHR and support adolescents and young people living with HIV. We will work with 85 health service providers in facilities and communities to make services more youth-friendly and accessible and to strengthen referral systems.
At national level, we will advocate to change laws and policies, e.g. pushing for Community ART Groups to be adopted as a policy in Malawi. The young people living with HIV-led national networks will be strengthened in their organisational and technical capacity, amongst others their advocacy capacity.
I need to be in charge of my health because it is my responsibility
– Zipporah, AYARHEP
Why this programme is needed
AIDS is still the leading cause of death among adolescents and young people living with HIV in Africa. There is a high need to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for this group, to enable them to live healthy and productive lives.
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.
Eight political parties commit to global health and SRHR at launch of multiparty initiative
Eight political parties commit to global health and SRHR at launch of multiparty initiative
On Friday 4 October, the multiparty initiative on global health and sexual and reproductive health & rights (SRHR) was launched at Nieuwspoort in The Hague. Hosted by the Dutch Global Health Alliance (DGHA) and the SRHR platform, this initiative aims to maintain the Netherlands’ leadership role on global health and SRHR by bringing parliamentarians from a broad range of political parties together to stand up for these issues. After dynamic discussions and reflections, the parliamentarians made their commitment to global health and SRHR official by signing up as members of the new multiparty initiative. Eight political parties have joined the initiative, reaffirming that health not only transcends borders, it also transcends politics.
Bridging Gaps in Healthcare: Enhancing HIV Services for Trans Women in Samarinda
Bridging Gaps in Healthcare: Enhancing HIV Services for Trans Women in Samarinda
The strong partnership between Inti Muda East Kalimantan and the Samarinda City Health Office, powered by impactful advocacy, has led to remarkable achievements. On April 4, 2024, Inti Muda East Kalimantan was invited by the Samarinda Health Office as a community representative to help the government select 10 new locations for PrEP services. By the end of May 2024, these new sites were operational, raising the total number of PrEP services in Samarinda to 12. This success is a testament to Inti Muda East Kalimantan’s effective contributions in establishing youth-friendly services for the LGBTIQ+ community, with a special focus on young transgender women.