It is estimated that five million young people aged 15-24 and two million adolescents aged 10-19 are living with HIV. Yet young people most affected by HIV – including those living with HIV, young sex workers, young men who have sex with men, young transgender people, and young people who use drugs – typically are unable to access and utilize comprehensive health services which meet both their HIV prevention and treatment needs as well as their sexual and reproductive health needs. In addition, young people affected by HIV are often not welcome to participate in policy and programme design and implementation, or do not feel comfortable doing so because of structural and cultural factors (such as stigma, taboo and discrimination based on age, gender, HIV status, and sexual orientation) or because of perceived lack of knowledge, expertise, skills, or abilities. 

To support the meaningful engagement of young people living with HIV and from key populations in decision making that affects their lives, ATHENA and Link Up partners, Global Youth Coalition on HIV and AIDS (GYCA) and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, have launched two new tools: Step Up, Link Up Speak Up Mentoring Tool and Workshop Facilitator’s Guide, and AIMING HIGH: 10 strategies for meaningful youth engagement, available in English and French. All of these resources and more can be found on the Link Up page

 

  StepUpLinkUpSpeakUp               AimingHigh10Priorities