On January 28th, Y+ Global and GNP+ hosted a graduation ceremony to honour the second Young Emerging Leaders (YELs) cohort. This event celebrated not only the successful completion of their time on the program and their advocacy journey but also their leadership in the HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) response.
The YEL program, a collaborative effort between GNP+ and Y+ Global, aims to empower young advocates under 25 by equipping them with essential skills and knowledge to navigate the changing landscape of HIV and SRHR advocacy. Supported by Love Alliance and funded by Aidsfonds, the program provides training and mentorship to thirteen young advocates from ten countries across Africa and Asia on a range of topics, including HIV treatment and care, funding mechanisms, stigma, discrimination, criminalisation, and the anti-rights movement. Since early 2024, this second cohort has engaged in intensive training and mentorship, guided by experts and experienced advocates, to enhance the YELs' leadership skills and promote meaningful change at the national and regional levels.
“The YEL programme has transformed me into a stronger leader and better advocate for young people living with HIV. I have represented young people at high-profile events and founded my organisation, amplifying the voices of gender-diverse young people living with HIV. YEL has expanded my perspective and connected me with a network of changemakers dedicated to meaningful youth engagement in decision-making.”Thapelo Mubanga
YEL from Zimbabwe
At the ceremony, Maximina Jokonya, Executive Director of Y+ Global, and Florence Riako Anam, Co-Executive Director of GNP+, expressed immense pride in the YELs, reflecting on the impact of the program for young people in their advocacy and congratulated the YELs for their unwavering dedication and remarkable commitment in completing the challenging year-long program.
“This does not mark the end but rather the beginning of an amazing journey filled with incredible opportunities. As you embark on this new chapter, remember to keep building your skills professionally and strive to achieve your goals.”Maximina Jokonya
Executive Director of Y+ Global
Likewise, Florence Riako Anam acknowledged the hurdles they encountered and celebrated their resilience in overcoming these challenges, marking this important milestone.
“You've made a dream come true; we have demonstrated that it is possible to empower young people and support them in occupying spaces that many consider too technical for their engagement.”Florence Riako Anam
Co-Executive Director of GNP+
The ceremony also highlighted successful initiatives the YEL graduates have contributed to since entering the program. These achievements include their leadership in organising virtual hubs leading up to the International Conference on AIDS, their involvement in the HIV and Adolescents workshop, the World AIDS Day celebrations in their home countries, and more.
For some, their experience in the program and journey in advocacy has created numerous doors and opportunities. For example, Maryann Wambugu, a YEL graduate from Kenya, was recently elected Chair of the Youth PACT Steering Committee. She attributes her involvement in the YEL program to her advocacy journey and the mentorship she received. She hopes to apply those skills and lessons learned in her new role, which serves more than 80 youth-led and youth-serving organisations and networks working together to advance and strengthen HIV responses and SRHR.
Ozla Nuh, Senior Programmes Officer at Y+ Global, who served as the lead for the YEL program, shared insights on the program's future, emphasising that its success relies on sustainability, which extends beyond funding to include continued capacity building. Plans are underway to assist graduates in strengthening their advocacy efforts through various forms of funding and support they may need.
Y+ Global and GNP+ sincerely thank Love Alliance and Aidsfonds for supporting this program. Many young advocates find it challenging to acquire the technical skills and confidence needed to participate meaningfully in these spaces and platforms. This program prioritises developing those abilities, empowering them to become the next generation of elite advocates ready to tackle those challenges.