Nairobi, Kenya, 2 - 4 October: Young advocates and activists from around the world assembled in Nairobi for the International Workshop on HIV and Adolescence, a three-day hybrid workshop to identify solutions to the most pressing HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) issues that adolescents and young people face.
Despite the significant medical advances in HIV treatment and prevention, the harsh reality for adolescents and young people, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, remains largely unchanged. While overall AIDS-related mortality has decreased in recent years, adolescents still experience higher AIDS-related death rates than adults. According to UNICEF, in sub-Saharan Africa, AIDS remains the leading cause of death among adolescents, with adolescent girls being almost six times more likely to acquire HIV than boys 1.
This year's workshop, themed ‘Building a Brighter Future: Staying Ahead of the Evolving HIV and SRHR Landscape,’ focused on not only providing updates on the latest HIV and SRHR research and implementation but also translating them into best practices to improve adolescent care. This included sharing adolescent-centered solutions for mental health support, fostering networking, and skill-building among stakeholders. The workshop, as it usually is, is designed to empower young people to lead the HIV and SRHR response, equipping them with the knowledge to make informed, safe choices while highlighting best practices in youth-led interventions and programs.
“This workshop has been a wonderful learning experience. I have learned about how adolescents and young people influence the HIV and SRHR agenda within their communities. I have also engaged in interactive discussions on the intersectionality between HIV/SRHR and highlighting successful instances of integrating meaningful youth.”Ravel Gatoto
UNITED! Movement Member
With the support of various programmes at Y+ Global, including the UNITED! Movement, You(th) Care, and Youth Wise, several key events were organised throughout the workshop. Prior to the commencement of the workshop, a Youth Networking Zone sponsored by the UNITED! Movement and UNICEF ESARO allowed young people from different countries, movements, and projects to network, connect, discuss their work, and get to know one another in fun and creative settings.
[Photo from left to right: Group photos of young people getting to know each other at the Youth Networking Zone, organised by the UNITED! Movement and sponsored by UNICEF EASAO]
On the second day of the workshop, Y+ Global, in collaboration with partners from the UNITED! Movement such as AfriYAN, UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa, UNAIDS Eastern and Southern Africa, and UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office organised a skills-building session specifically for programmers. This session aimed to provide programmers and youth advocates with the necessary tools to effectively implement youth-led HIV and SRHR responses. Participants took part in group discussions and interactive role-playing exercises, focusing on the intersection of youth engagement, technology, and sustainable program design. These practical activities equipped the participants with the skills to develop impactful, inclusive, and rights-based youth-led initiatives, further enhancing their advocacy efforts.
“The UNITED! Movement session 'Reimagining Youth-Led Programming 2.0' builds on those crucial learnings from last year and highlights the importance of meaningful youth engagement and leadership in response to HIV and SRHR. If we want a healthier future, we must work alongside programmers and equip them with practical tools and strategies to enhance their capacity and create impactful HIV and SRHR programs.”Faith Thipe
UNITED! Movement Project Officer at Y+ Global
[From left to right: Workshop delegates attending the UNITED! Movement skills-building session on reimagining youth-led programming and strengthening the capacities for impactful HIV and SRHR outcomes]
Beyond this, the workshop also witnessed artistic displays and peaceful demonstrations. Young advocates used the space to express their needs and priorities, advocating for accessible long-acting treatment options for HIV. Although long-acting treatment options offer greater convenience and adherence benefits, particularly for young people who struggle with adherence, they are still inaccessible in many parts of Africa and the world.
[From left to right: Young people hold a demonstration in the main hall. Group photo of young delegates in front of the conference hall banner. Photo Credit: The Academic Medical Education - International Workshop on Adolescence, SRHR, & HIV 2024]
Aside from the work with the UNITED! Movement, the Youth Wise Consortium, organised a separate skills-building session on holistic approaches to adolescent mental health and HIV care, focusing on self-care. Youth Wise is a collaboration of various youth-led organisations of young people living with HIV in Kenya and Malawi, enabling them to practice self-care and fulfil their SRHR needs. The project has been funded by Aidsfonds since 2022, and this is its final year.
[From left to right: Group photo of partners at the Youth Wise Close-Out Dinner and Ivy Jebet, Junior Programmes Officer at Y+ Global, in her opening speech.]
To celebrate the culmination of the Youth Wise project, a special dinner was organised with partners to reflect on the Impact Assessment findings. The report, which was presented at the dinner, revealed that by empowering adolescents and young people living with HIV and strengthening their support systems, such as peer groups, healthcare providers, and parents, significant progress was achieved in their access to treatment and acceptance of their status. This holistic approach also resulted in adopting self-care practices, leading to more adolescents and young people achieving undetectable viral loads, marking a significant milestone in improving their overall health outcomes.
"I am proud of Youth Wise's accomplishments. Self-care is often overlooked, yet it is integral in promoting personal health action and strengthening the healthcare system. We see its power in reducing the pressures of overcrowding for services and enabling young people to adopt more holistic approaches. We have accomplished a lot over the years, thanks to Aidsfonds and the youth networks involved. This sustainability and close-out dinner was not only an emotional and symbolic end to the project, but also a reminder that the work must go on."Ivy Jebet
Junior Programmes Officer at Y+ Global
The recent workshop left an indelible mark on all participants. As we bid farewell to the impactful Youth Wise project, we are energised by the promising future propelled by youth-led movements such as the UNITED! Movement. In the face of a rapidly evolving HIV and SRHR landscape, we eagerly anticipate the innovative contributions these movements will make as they continue to spearhead transformation and amplify the voices of young people in the pursuit of health and rights.
(UNICEF, 2023) childrenandaids.org/sites/default/files/2023-11/231130%20UNCEF_HIV_Global_Snapshot_2023UPDATED_0.pdf