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.
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On 20 April, the multi‑party initiative (MPI) for global health and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) was officially re-launched. During the event at Nieuwspoort, Members of Parliament, civil society organisations and experts discussed the importance of strong Dutch leadership on these themes. New research was also presented, highlighting the significant impact of Dutch investments in global health and SRHR. The launch marked an inspiring and promising start to this collaborative initiative.
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Today, the European Commission announced its intention to pledge a total of €700 million overall for the 8th Global Fund’s replenishment, subject to the outcome of the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework negotiations. At a time when budgets are under strain, priorities are competing, and the world feels increasingly unstable, stepping up for people affected by HIV, TB and malaria around the world is very welcome and a clear sign of the EU’s ambition to lead on global health. This commitment will help save millions of lives and keep everyone safer, including in Europe. It will support Africa’s ability to lead on its own health priorities, and build resilience in places under severe stress. This includes countries affected by war, such as Ukraine, where the continuity of HIV and TB services is critical not only for emergency response, but also for long-term recovery. With many donors cutting back on aid, the Commission’s renewed support for the Global Fund sends a much-needed signal of leadership and solidarity.
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