At just 17 years old, Tiwatope (a pseudonym) stood at the threshold of a new chapter in her life. Recently admitted to a university in Nigeria, she should have been focused on the excitement and possibilities that come with beginning university. Instead, she found herself confronting a deeply personal challenge that threatened her privacy, dignity, and sense of safety.
You see, Tiwatope is not just an adolescent girl and young woman (AGYW) from Rivers state, South-South region, Nigeria, but she also is living with HIV and identifies as a lesbian. As part of her university admission process, she was required to undergo several medical examinations, including an HIV test. More concerningly, she learned that her HIV status and test results were expected to be included in her student file. For Tiwatope, this requirement immediately raised fear and uncertainty. Living with HIV in a context where stigma and discrimination remain prevalent, she worried about who would have access to such sensitive information and what consequences this disclosure might have on her educational journey.
“I had no knowledge of my rights or any legal protections, so I felt pressured to comply.”Tiwatope
Tiwatope’s journey toward empowerment began through the Gender Equality Fund (GEF). During a monitoring and supervisory visit conducted by the Greater Women Initiative for Health and Rights; a GEF grantee in Nigeria at the university, she was invited to participate in a learning session alongside other adolescent girls and young women, and this session became a transformative opportunity towards her leadership in advocacy.
Within the safe and supportive environment created through the programme, she openly shared her concerns. She spoke candidly about the requirement to submit her HIV test results for inclusion in her student file and revealed that she had previously been unaware of Nigeria’s HIV Anti-Discrimination Law. Her story resonated strongly with facilitators and fellow girls and young women, offering a powerful example of the barriers that adolescent girls and young women living with HIV continue to face in educational settings.
At the same time, her experience reinforced the importance of the Gender Equality Fund’s investment in rights awareness and empowerment. Through the programme, Tiwatope gained access to tailored educational materials, resources, and participated in focused learning sessions that strengthened both her health literacy and legal awareness. She learned more about HIV treatment, including the benefits of antiretroviral regimens, while also gaining a clearer understanding of the legal protections available to people living with HIV in Nigeria.
For the first time, Tiwatope began to understand that her HIV status was private medical information protected by law and that she had rights safeguarding her from discrimination. The mentorship and guidance provided through the programme created opportunities for peer interaction, learning, and empowerment. Through discussions and shared experiences, she found reassurance that she was not alone and that her voice mattered.
Rather than remaining silent, she became an active participant in conversations around HIV rights and stigma reduction. She shared her own experiences, contributed to broader awareness among fellow AGYW, helping others recognize the importance of understanding and asserting their rights in educational and social settings.
However, knowledge alone was not where Tiwatope’s story ended. Once the issue surrounding the university’s admission requirements became clear, collective action followed. A joint advocacy effort involving the Greater Women Initiative for Health and Rights, the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), directly engaged with the university leadership, including the Vice-Chancellor. During the engagement, these advocates emphasized a critical principle that HIV status is private and protected under Nigeria’s HIV Anti-Discrimination Law. They highlighted the risks associated with including HIV test results in student files, particularly given that such records may be accessed by multiple administrative personnel, potentially exposing students to stigma, discrimination, and breaches of confidentiality.
The advocacy proved successful. Tiwatope’s HIV test result was ultimately not included in her student file, and her HIV status was not disclosed to university admission authorities. Yet the impact extended beyond one individual. The university’s reconsideration of this normalized practice established a broader institutional standard, reinforcing the importance of privacy, confidentiality, and non-discrimination in the handling of sensitive health information for newly admitted students.
For her, the outcome was life-changing because she could now begin her university journey with greater confidence, knowing that her rights had been protected and her dignity upheld. Today, Tiwatope hopes to successfully pursue her academic journey while maintaining her health and wellbeing without fear of stigma or discrimination. Inspired by the support she received through the Gender Equality Fund programme, she is motivated to continue learning about HIV treatment and legal protections so she can live confidently and support others facing similar experiences.
“I envision myself becoming a peer advocate for adolescent girls and young women, helping others understand their rights, seek accurate information, and speak up when confronted with discrimination. I hope my story encourages other young women living with HIV to protect their dignity and participate confidently in educational and social spaces.”Tiwatope
Tiwatope’s story demonstrates the tangible impact of the Gender Equality Fund. It shows that when adolescent girls and young women are equipped with knowledge, connected to supportive networks, and empowered through mentorship and advocacy, they are better positioned to protect their rights and shape their futures. What began as one young woman’s fear of discrimination became an example of how awareness, collective action, and meaningful support can drive change not only for an individual, but for institutions and communities as well.
The Gender Equality Fund is a three-year consortium initiative led by the Global Network of Young People Living with HIV (Y+ Global). It is funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, GSK, and ViiV Healthcare. The GEF in Nigeria builds upon the existing model of the HER Voice Fund, which is being implemented across 13 African countries.