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The session was about providing evidence on the power of peer to peer approach on HIV AIDS interventions to ensure continued care for HIV positive adolescents and young people

The key messages was that Elizabeth Glazer foundation has in its programs in Africa demonstrated that young people have vital role in HIV programming. The biggest premise is based on the fact that they understand each others needs, language and solutions that are needed for their program. The foundation has therefore taking this thinking and has invested in building skills of the youth to lead in provision of education, psycho social support. They are also trained in advocacy skills so that they are able to hold health care providers when they fail to meet standards established in policies and guidelines set by government. The results have been encouraging in creating an enabling environment for the youth to adhere to treatment and to stay positive in life

The limitation of the session was that it did not show how the approach would be sustainable when the projects come to an end considering that in one of the examples given, adolescents are provided with transport refunds, meals and snacks when they come to hospital. Would the approach be sustained in a resource constrained country when the project comes to and end? The session should have perhaps used some models that are being implemented by a government in low income country to provide possible evidence for sustainable financing

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Taking down stigma and discrimination towards youth: Building quality of care in health facilities is a session which aimed at creating a space for reflection on stigma and discrimination which young people are subjected to when they access HIV services

This session was about stigma and discrimination which young people are subjected to when seeking HIV and AIDS services in health facilities, with reference to a case in Tanzania. During the session, the convening Organization, Health Policy Plus showed an approach the project has managed to deal with the challenge. Laura Nyblade, of RTI which is in the Health Policy Plus Project presented an overview of the an approach they have used to reduce stigma and discrimination (S&D).The approach is in three phases, the first focuses on assessing the situation in order to collect baseline data, with reference to a set of variables which are used to measure stigma and discrimination towards the youth. The second stage is when the stigma reduction activities are implemented. The activities include capacity building of health care providers. The last stage is evaluation, comparing results after the intervention to the baseline results.

Baseline data showed that young people aged, 15-24 are far more likely to be subjected to S&D than adults, even though both adults and youth who are HIV positive are all significantly subjected to the practice The approach was even more effective because some the of the training workshops were facilitated by the youth. The approach is bringing change in the attitude of health care providers Young people have fully engaged in the project in order to ensure that there is meaningful youth participation.

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WEWS03: Trans identities: importance of recognition in law and research The session highlighted how structural barriers prevent transgender people form accessing basic and gender affirming healthcare. It also covered the advocacy to push against and data needed to overturn trans-exclusionary law and practices.

Four facilitators, chaired by Phylesha Brown-Acton, provided information on the need for dis-aggregated data for transgender men; lessons learned from the transgender Tangerine Clinic in Bangkok; Self-identification law passed in Pakistan; Transgender experiences from Christian countries in Pakistan. Spokeswoman from the Tangerine Clinic for trans-people in Bangkok highlighted that there is no gender recognition law so all ID mis-gendered trans people, resulting in travel and employment issues. Of the 1050 patients, 15% are trans men. HIV prevalence is 12%. As PreP is not free to attain, trans-people often prioritise hormones. Proven that those receiving hormones are more likely to uptake healthcare and also PrEp, using this to advocacy. It is evidenced that trans-people with free access to hormones are more likely to uptake healthcare and also PrEp and this evidence is being used to advocate for trans-inclusive laws.

Content was rich and informative. Delegates split into four groups and rotated between the panellist to hear information from then. The structure of the session successfully broke down traditional hierarchies of a student-teacher dichotomy, however the pace of discussion meant that each group only had time to visit two of the four facilitated discussions, resulting in them missing key reflections from other speakers.

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Positive Women’s Network-USA sharing the online policy programme developed to improve HIV+ women and non-binary people to access policy advocacy space. The programme involves a work experience placement, homework/assignments and coaching by experienced advocates. Trainers include women living with HIV, who can relate well with their peers .

THWS12: Who’s on deck? Building the leadership bench of women living with HIV in the federal policy advocacy arena: Arneta Rogers (Policy Director) gave an overview of the programme, which seeks to work with fellows to strategise help them achieve their policy and advocacy goals to access political and advocacy spaces. Kamaria Laffrey (Positive Women’s Network Policy Fellow graduate) explained that “As a WLHIV, no-one ever said that I was equipped to being a leader until I came to PWN” and this experience helped her realise that “I was a subject matter expert”. She has drafted a policy brief on medical expansion and is involved in HIV decriminalisation work and describes PWN as a “blood-line to my advocacy work”. Rebecca Wang (Legal Fellow) gave delegates a preview module, focusing on gender and racial justice. Understanding issues through a gendered and racial justice lens enables accountability and analysing root causes.

Interactive and tech involvement through polling and frequent Q&As. Facilitators began by stating their pronouns, which affirmed their content and being aware of gendered experiences. There is an opportunity to develop their sign-posting to pastoral support, as it can be traumatising (as well as empowering) to have a better understanding of how policies impact lives day-to-day. The session was very relevant and it was positive to see structures and programmes that building the policy capacity of women and non-binary people living with HIV, as well as improving their confidence.

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Title: Unite4CSE: Recommendations for CSE policy change in Poland, Romania, Cyprus, Georgia and the Netherlands by young citizens (THGS04). YouAct and Choice presented the results of their Unite 4CSE project which brought advocates from Cyprus, Georgia, Poland, Romania and the Netherlands together to map a pathway to advance CSE

Desk review findings showed commonalities of the situation of CSE across the countries in terms of a conservative and religious societal context; some CSE content – mostly focused on reproduction is available in subjects such as biology, but no real CSE, even where there may be a policy or legal framework; and capacity of CSE teachers is an issue . In all countries NGOs were working to fill the gap on access to SRH knowledge etc In all countries the youth advocates developed an advocacy infographic, each taking a certain thematic entry point to link to and advocate for CSE based on the respective country issues. For instance, in Poland this was gender-based violence, while in the Netherlands it was violence (bullying) based on sexual orientation and gender identity. All country infographics presented national data called call on government to act with specific actions.

Unite 4 CSE will continue to work to empower young leaders to influence national policies and to build awareness on the need for CSE in these 5 countries. A second phase of the project has already secured funding to focus on capacity building at country level of youth advocates and the production of additional advocacy materials. The session was valuable in sharing results from a study designed and implemented by the youth. Based on evidence from the study, strategic approaches were identified to come up with advocacy activities on CSE.