Adolescent girls and young women bear a disproportionate burden in the HIV response. In 2022, adolescent girls and young women constituted 77% of new HIV acquisitions in central, eastern, southern and western Africa with HIV acquisition three times higher than in boys and young men of the same age (UNAIDS, 2022). Data points to a clear shortage of gender-sensitive, youth-friendly and integrated HIV and reproductive health services designed for and by adolescent girls and young women. Young people currently account for 1.8 billion people globally, the largest generation of young people ever, 90% of whom live in low- and middle-income countries (UNAIDS, 2021). Yet the catalytic potential of young people, especially young women, in finding innovative solutions towards better health outcomes is critically underutilized. To unleash this potential, adolescent girls and young women must be engaged as beneficiaries, partners and leaders in initiatives that concern their health (UNAIDS, 2018) and be equipped with the necessary skills and leadership opportunities to execute bold and innovative ideas that are fine-tuned to their unique needs.
For International Women’s Day, the IAS Youth Hub brought together four inspiring young women active in the HIV response for a virtual ask the experts style session. They provided participants with knowledge on the intersections of gender and the HIV response, guidance on how to overcome gender specific challenges and inspired other young people to be part of the movement.
