21 Oct Africa REACH Launches Friends and Partners Group at the International Workshop on Adolescence, SRHR, and HIV 2024
Africa REACH recently launched its Friends and Partners Group (FPG) on the margins of the International Workshop on Adolescence, SRHR, and HIV, held in Nairobi, Kenya. The workshop brought together key stakeholders and thought leaders to address critical issues affecting adolescents and young people living with and impacted by HIV.
Africa REACH had a significant presence at the workshop, presenting a poster titled “Empowering Adolescent Girls through Podcasts: Addressing Barriers to Sexual Education in Nigeria.” Additionally, Africa REACH co-hosted a side event with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), focused on the Triple Threat of HIV, unwanted pregnancies, and SGBV, and how these intersecting challenges disproportionately affect young people, particularly those living with and impacted by HIV.
While the workshop provided an excellent platform for these discussions, the centrepiece of Africa REACH’s engagement was the official launch of the Friends and Partners Group, an initiative aimed at strengthening the collective voice advocating for the elimination of AIDS in children and young people across the African continent.
Background on the Friends and Partners Group (FPG)
The Friends and Partners Group (FPG) is an extension of the Africa REACH Leadership Council, comprised of partner organisations and individuals active in the HIV response. Like the Leadership Council, the FPG aims to use its various platforms to advocate for ending AIDS in children and young people, leveraging the messaging and key result areas shared by the Leadership Council.
The Friends and Partners Group will be supported by the Africa REACH Hub to engage in industry events, speaking opportunities, and mass communications, ensuring visibility and momentum in the fight against paediatric HIV.
Objectives of the FPG Launch
The launch of the Friends and Partners Group (FPG) serves as an extension of Africa REACH’s Leadership Council and aims to expand the network of individuals and organisations committed to the fight against paediatric and adolescent HIV. This new group will use its diverse platforms to amplify the message of ending AIDS in children and young people, mobilizing resources, and advocating for stronger policies and commitments in this crucial area.
Who Attended
The launch brought together representatives from various sectors, including civil society organisations, global health agencies, academic institutions, and private sector partners, who are all actively engaged in the HIV response. Members of Africa REACH’s Leadership Council, Dr. Agnes Mahomva and Mr. Leon Lidigu were also present to facilitate the event, lending their support to the formation of this important group.
Key Takeaways
- Extension of Advocacy Efforts: The Friends and Partners Group will mirror the work of the Leadership Council, extending its reach and providing more opportunities for collaboration and advocacy across the continent. Members will be encouraged to leverage their platforms to further Africa REACH’s mission, particularly around policy development, resource mobilisation, and public health messaging.
- Collaborative Engagement: Attendees emphasised the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach in the fight against HIV. From pharmaceutical companies to community-based organisations, each stakeholder has a unique role to play in driving progress toward eliminating AIDS in children and adolescents.
- Ongoing Support from Africa REACH Hub: The Africa REACH Hub, serving as the secretariat, will provide continuous support to the Friends and Partners Group, offering resources, data, and communication tools to enhance the group’s advocacy efforts.
Next Steps
As the Friends and Partners Group embarks on this important mission, several key actions are planned:
- Semi-Advisory Role to the Leadership Council: FPG members will act as advisors to the Leadership Council, offering their expertise in specific areas such as pharmaceuticals, public health, and resource mobilisation.
- Participation in High-Level Meetings and Conferences: Members will meet on the sidelines of major global events, to discuss pressing issues and strategise around HIV advocacy.
- Amplifying Advocacy Efforts: Friends and Partners will use their networks to advocate for the development, resourcing, and implementation of strong paediatric and adolescent HIV policies across Africa, ensuring that these efforts receive the attention they deserve on a global stage.
Responsibilities of Friends and Partners
- Leverage their networks to mobilise resources and advance the objectives of Africa REACH.
- Advocate for the development, resourcing, and implementation of strong paediatric and adolescent HIV policies across Africa.
Responsibilities of Africa REACH Secretariat
- Facilitate communication between FPG members, the Leadership Council, and key partners working in the HIV response.
- Identify collaborative opportunities for FPG members to participate in discussions and events focused on ending AIDS in children and young people on the continent.
- Provide members with communications support for collaborative events, co-drafting op-eds, and co-creating social media content around paediatric and adolescent HIV.
Duration
Friends and Partners Group members will serve until December 2025, with the option to renew for an additional three-year term. Participation is voluntary and non-remunerated, driven by a shared commitment to ending AIDS in children and young people.
Members who signed on to the FPG
- Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Programme (CTAOP)
- African Union Commission
- African Renaissance
- Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+)
- Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF)
- Paediatric-Adolescent Treatment Africa (PATA)
- ViiV Healthcare Positive Action
- The Africa HIV Control Working Group (HCWG)
- Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF)
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)
- Community Health Alliance Uganda (CHAU)