Nthabeleng Nts’ekalle, a HER Voice Fund Ambassador from Lesotho, has played a crucial role in securing Global Fund grants to address the specific needs of her country. She has tirelessly been advocating for the rights of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) at the country level, working with the Lesotho Network of AIDS Service Organisations (LENASO) and other organisations that implement HIV and AIDS services at the community level and connecting people living with HIV to prevention, treatment and care services.
With the support of the HER Voice Fund team at Y+ Global, HER Voice Fund Country Lead, UNICEF ESARO, LENASO, and Disabled HIV and AIDS Organization Lesotho (DHAOL), she and her peers were able to take meaningful action to address the needs of AGYW in all their diversity, including pregnant adolescents, young mothers, AGYW with disabilities and LGBTQ+ community members in Lesotho, to ensure their needs were reflected in the Global Fund GC7 funding request.
In Lesotho alone, the HER Voice Fund supported AGYW in all their diversity by ensuring their representation in 36 different national and sub-national bodies and processes. The team harnessed the power of grassroots engagement, conducting consultations with over 150 AGYW from diverse backgrounds across ten districts, ensuring that recommendations cover a broader perspective of AGYW and that no one is left behind. These conversations were more than just dialogue; they were a testament to the resilience and strength of young women, sharing their experiences with HIV and sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services.
With the guidance of HER Voice Fund and technical support from UNICEF ESARO, Nthabeleng and her peers transformed these stories and lived experiences into actionable priorities, advocating and campaigning for improved accessibility and availability of services, including Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and other forms of support including mental health and well-being. Nthabeleng led specific initiatives around PrEP education and information, dispelling the myths and sharing the effectiveness and correct use of PrEP, new technologies, and its access points in the districts. As a direct result, the number of PrEP uptakes by AGYW increased locally. They have now started to advocate with their communities and peers. AGYW leads from different community groups also received training on leadership, advocacy, and communication skills, which were done virtually with the help of experts.
Their efforts continued. In the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7, HER Voice Fund Ambassadors played a leading role in the region. They championed the needs of adolescent girls and young women, making sure their priorities were included in the funding request. Nthabeleng and her peers took their voices to influential platforms, including the National AIDS Council and the Lesotho Country Coordinating Mechanism (LCCM), ensuring their needs and priorities were heard.
"It was a groundbreaking moment," Nthabeleng recalls, "For the first time, the CCM engaged directly with young people, including those living with disabilities. Their recommendations shaped the interventions and priorities outlined in the funding request."
Despite facing numerous challenges, Nthabeleng and her peers tackled them head-on. They had to deal with a lack of resources in rural areas and opposition from parents and guardians on matters related to SRHR. However, they refused to let their voices go unheard.
"It wasn't easy," Nthabeleng admits. "It was a very successful process since it was the first time the CCM had engaged with us, AGYW, to unpack the Global Fund processes and to understand the modular framework better. But we knew that our voices mattered. We refused to back down, even when faced with resistance from older generations. Some older folks felt disrespected when we shared our experiences with the service provided. When we shared this issue, they defended themselves and disapproved of it. But we stood our ground, shared our truths, and in doing so, we advocated for the rights of all young people," she adds.
Nthabeleng shares how sensitive their culture is on issues of SRHR and HIV. They faced misunderstandings and accusations of propagating early sexual debut and contraceptive use among adolescent girls. But undeterred, Nthabeleng and her peers took a proactive approach. They educated parents on the importance of AGYW having access to information on their sexual health, empowering them to make informed choices and protect their future.
"To get past the community gatekeepers, we had to break down barriers and build bridges of understanding," Nthabeleng reveals. "We listened to and respectfully addressed their concerns, demonstrating the positive impact of empowering young women with knowledge and agency."
Reflecting on their journey, Nthabeleng emphasises the importance of resilience and humility. "Having a thick skin is crucial," she advises. "We're not perfect, but we're learning and growing every day. It's essential to be open to feedback, even when it's difficult to hear. Respect is key, both for our elders and for ourselves. We must speak our truth with conviction while also recognising and valuing the perspectives of others."
The story of Nthabeleng's involvement in the GC7 through the support from the CCM Secretary and Youth Representative is a remarkable testament to the power of collaboration, especially with the support provided by Her Voice Fund and Y+ Global. It reaffirms the importance of investing in AGYW-led engagements, discovering their innovative recommendations and understanding their unique needs. Together, they demonstrated strength and resilience, and her successful advocacy for youth representation in decision-making emphasises the importance of engaging young people in health. This is what communities, and more importantly, women who lead them, should be like.
Throughout 2023, young women leaders supported by HER Voice Fund, a programme implemented by the Global Network of Young People Living with HIV (Y+ Global), help adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) have a meaningful say in decisions that concern their lives. The HER Voice Fund is supported by ViiV Healthcare Positive Action and the Global Fund.