READY+ Newsletter #14 | October 2024

Welcome to the 14th edition of the READY newsletter! This issue focuses on youth advocacy and action.

Inequalities, structural barriers and intersectionality are well-known, but the main question is: why do we continue to experience high HIV prevalence among young people when we have the latest prevention tools, effective treatment and robust communities? As disparities unfold,the READY Academy proposes cutting edge solutions. Held in Simunye, Eswatinion 20–25 May, the training programme helped build more resilient and empowered young emerging leaders who are taking back their voice and guiding interventions related to their health and rights.

A critical module focused on ‘What is advocacy – ethical engagement of young people in the global sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)and HIV field’. Young people learnt how to navigate the anti-rights landscape: being proactive rather than reactive. With the skills, knowledge and confidence gained, l know young leaders are READY to disrupt the status quo and reflect on the issues affecting our communities and the role young people can play in HIV and SRHR responses. At AIDS 2024, held in Munich,Germany on 22–26 July, again, young people stood up for their rights.We must protect young people in all their diversity and empower them as leaders.

Maximina Jokonya
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GLOBAL NETWORK OF YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV (Y+ GLOBAL)