An Observatory of young PLHIV

In 2021, the UN Political Declaration on HIV explained that the goal was to: “End inequalities and take action to end AIDS by 2030”; on occasion, she reaffirmed the importance of youth leadership in this response to HIV. There are two innovative youth-led HIV networks: the Global Network of Young People Living with HIV (Y+ Global) and the Pact. They are at the initiative of a tracking tool, supported by UNAIDS) in seven countries: Burundi, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, Uganda, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. The idea is that young PLHIV assess the way in which the response to HIV is done in their respective countries and in particular what is carried out towards young people and especially “if this response respects the commitments towards young people necessary to achieve the 2025 HIV targets and Sustainable Development Goal 3 (“Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”). It is extremely crucial in the global response to HIV to strengthen the engagement of adolescents and adolescents, as well as young people using real-time data systems and interpersonal platforms. This will positively influence knowledge, attitudes and social and behavioral change, as well as strengthen the social accountability of service providers and decision makers to improve the quality of life of young people living with HIV. and other sexual minorities,” explains Tinashe Grateful Rufurwadzo, one of the managers of Y+ Global. This is all the more necessary since while young people represent 16% of the world’s population, they accounted for 27% of new HIV infections in 2020. “Despite the disproportionate rate of HIV among young people, this age group continues to face discrimination and exclusion from health systems and lack of information on their sexual and reproductive rights, risk reduction and HIV services,” notes UNAIDS. Through this observatory, Pact and Y+ Global aim to generate “accurate qualitative data for national and local youth-led organizations to hold their governments and service providers accountable for health and safety commitments.” well-being of young people. “This will help focus mobilization on identified national priorities to achieve the goals set out in the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS and the Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026: Ending Inequalities, Ending AIDS,” said the Minister. ‘UNAIDS.