THE 2022/25 Y+ Global and Her Voice Fund strategic documents which will be used to inform Y+ Global’s approach to all areas of work including building networks, advocacy programs, fundraising, administration and partnerships have been launched.
By Michael Gwarisa
The HER Voice fund initiative was created in recognition of the vital role adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) have in driving and shaping the HIV response. The two new strategic documents were developed in close collaboration with a number of Y+ Global partners, stakeholders and the diverse communities of young people. The communities were well represented by the nine home regions of the Y+ Global board members.
Speaking during the launch, Igor Kuchin, the Y+ Global Board Chair said, ”Since its formation in 2015, Y+ Global has given a long term commitment to breach the gap for young people at global level and make young people both visible and heard. The board of Y+ Global is extremely grateful to the executive office, to our partners and everybody who paved the way for Y+ Global to become a strong youth led organisation.
Y+ Global has a strong and bold vision, mission and values that we will inform the how and the what of building networks, doing advocacy, performing our programs and fund raising the right way as well as how we do the administrative work, how we govern Y+ and formulate new partnerships.”
Kaweme Chunga, a Y+ Global board member said more resources should be channeled towards addressing issues affecting young people especially girls and young key populations as they still constitute the biggest number of new HIV infections.
“With great thanks to improved strategic innovations, young people living with HIV can live fulfilled and meaningful lives. However, despite our efforts to stamp the HIV epidemic, young people especially adolescent girls and young women and young key populations continue to be disproportionately affected by new HIV infections,” said Chunga.
She added that young people continue to face a myriad of challenges ranging from poor mental well-being as a result of the stigma and discrimination, poor health services and negative attitudes in the health sector especially towards young key populations.
“Other challenges include low levels of treatment literacy, the impact of coping with COVID-19 and the restriction which curtailed access to education, healthcare, work opportunities and social lives. Poor access to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and contraception.
“Also a lack of understanding of the diverse needs and priorities of diverse young people particularly those who are marginalized and criminalized. As we launch this new strategy, we recommit a clear mandate of continued representation of the voices of young people living with HIV in all our diversity across the globe.”
Tinashe Rufurwadzo, the Y+ Global Director of Programmes, Management and Governance said, ” the Y+ Global strategy 2022-2025 sets out three key pillars that informs our approach to all areas of our work, including building our network, advocacy, programmes, fundraising, administration, governance, and working with our partners. We believe that if the actions in this plan are successful, they will make a significant contribution towards the health and rights of young people living with and affected by HIV in all our diversity.”
