READY at AIDS 2024
AIDS 2024, the 25th International AIDS Conference, was held in Munich, Germany. The READY Movement made its presence known, and we are proud of our READY leaders for amplifying the voices and priorities of young people in Africa and beyond!
AIDS 2024 Youth Declaration
Leading up to AIDS 2024, the READY movement collaborated with the Munich Youth Force and organised a virtual consultation involving young people living with and affected by HIV from around the world. The goal was to identify the needs and priorities of young people affected by HIV, leading to the creation of the Youth Declaration. This declaration can be used as a resource to garner financial, technical, and political support for initiatives aimed at young people and to strengthen overall youth-led responses to HIV, ensuring that no young person is left behind.
Here are a few snapshots of READY in action!
The Youth March at AIDS 2024
READY leaders joined the Youth March to protest visa denialism, which was noticeable as many young activists and advocates could not attend the conference in person. Aside from the demonstration, the Munich Youth Force and READY Movement organised the ‘Visa Denied’ campaign by placing placards in the seats of absent speakers, symbolising the young people who could not attend due to visa rejections.
Movement Building and Campaigning: Sharing of Lessons Learnt from the READY Movement
During a panel discussion on Movement Building and Campaigning at the Youth Pavilion, Cyprian Narzis, the READY Focal Point for Tanzania, shared information about the READY Movement. He discussed how the movement empowers young people across Africa to amplify their voices on HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The session facilitated a deeper understanding of ethical youth engagement and innovative advocacy through storytelling, highlighting the importance of intersectionality in addressing diverse experiences and identities in the HIV response and across various movements.
Mind the Gap: Empowering AGYW Through Inclusive Services and Engagement
An insightful and engaging panel event, ‘Mind the Gap: empowering AGYW through inclusive services and engagement!’ focused on addressing the critical gaps in institutional services for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). This event featured dynamic voices sharing experiences and challenges AGYW faces in accessing healthcare, education, legal protection, and economic opportunities. In this discussion, panellists helped identify solutions and best practices for creating inclusive and equitable services through norm change, accountability, and investing in youth programming.
Youth-Led Monitoring: Data Generated by Young People, For Young People
Commitments and policies that aim to support health, HIV, and SRHR accessibility do not always align with countrywide legislation. This session highlighted some of the tools and results from youth-led monitoring that aim to initiate further action at the country level. Cyprian Komba, the READY Focal Point for Tanzania, spoke about tools like the READY to Care scorecard, a unique youth-led monitoring and accountability tool that helps young people share their experiences with care at health facilities to improve the quality of health services.
Join the READY Movement
While many other attendees mingled and networked throughout the conference days, READY leaders helped promote the movement at various spaces, sharing updates and successes from the programs and encouraging others to sign up! Click here to join the READY Movement.