Challenging the status quo in the global response to HIV: a call for meaningful youth engagement.

Abstract

The HIV epidemic continues disproportionally to affect adolescents and young people globally. There is a need for a paradigm shift in our approach to the HIV/AIDS epidemic to address the challenges of stigma, awareness, and access and adherence to care.In this article, drawing on outcomes of unstructured group discussions among youth peer advocates from diverse backgrounds and geographical contexts, we identify key focus areas with the vision to engage and empower youth, contextualize these within the existing evidence base and present actionable recommendations directed at youth and policymakers. These key areas include: (i) the role of social media and peer-led initiatives to disseminate accurate information and reduce HIV-related stigma; (ii) improving access to comprehensive sexuality education and peer-mentoring globally; (iii) strengthening training, stigma reduction and youth-related education among current and future healthcare workers; (iv) empowering young people, particularly young women and vulnerable populations, and promoting equitable access to comprehensive health services; (v) promoting youth participation and leadership in advocacy, policy development, and decision making; and (vi) encouraging collaboration between networks across intersecting HIV and human rights-related agendas.