Youth Wise

Background

AIDS is the leading cause of death among young people aged 10-24 in Africa. Declines in AIDS-related mortality have been much more modest among adolescents aged 10-19 years than in other age groups. This is largely due to poor sexual health and rights of adolescents and young people living with HIV. Treatment adherence can be a big challenge for them at a time of physical, social and psychological change, and they need specific support. COVID-19 further poses, increasing mental health issues, complicating treatment adherence and influencing stocking of ARVs.

This calls for the need to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for adolescents and young people living with HIV.

YouthWise aims to amplify the voices of young people living with HIV in Kenya and Malawi to enable them to practice self-care and fulfil their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) needs.

The main aims of Youthwise are:

• To enhance self care among adolescents and young people living with HIV to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for adolescents and young people living with HIV.
• To amplify the voices of adolescents and young people living with HIV in Kenya and Malawi to enable them to practice self-care and fulfil their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) needs, in a supportive and respectful environment

Youthwise is implemented in Malawi by COWLHA and Y+ Malawi, in Kenya by Y+ Kenya and AYARHEP and implemented by Y+ Global at the global level. In the first year, Y+ Global will support the country networks to effectively advocate for adequate and inclusive HIV and SRHR services, products and resources and for respectful policies and laws.

Youthwise is supported by Aidsfonds