Speak Up Africa mobilizes at ICASA 2023 for women’s and girls’ health
At the 22nd edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), held in early December 2023 in Zimbabwe, the NGO Speak Up Africa was particularly active. In addition to a sharing session dedicated to its flagship program Voix Essentielles, the team also took part in the Ready Summit and the Youth Conference.
Sharing session between Voix Essentielles and Her Voice Fund: converging visions
At this meeting, the heads of the two programs were able to compare their respective approaches. The Voix Essentielles initiative, launched in 2021 with the support of the Global Fund and the CHANEL Foundation, aims to strengthen the participation of West African women and girls in health policies. It is based on providing funding to local women’s associations and leadership training for influential women.
For its part, the Her Voice Fund is a mechanism financed by the Global Fund and ViiV Healthcare to amplify the voice of adolescent girls and young women in Southern Africa in national decision-making bodies on health and HIV.
The session provided an opportunity for Voix Essentielles beneficiaries to exchange views with their Southern African counterparts committed to the common agenda of combating gender-based violence, and to learn from each other’s experiences.Dr Astou Fall, Program Director, Speak Up Africa.
Participants stressed the importance of looking at these two initiatives holistically, combining capacity building, access to healthcare services and advocacy for equity and quality of care. Several avenues for collaboration were suggested, such as the organization of joint events or joint advocacy with donors.
With a shared vision focused on the empowerment of women and girls across the continent, the synergy of action could be harnessed to maximize the reach and sustainability of both programs.
Ready Summit: Speak Up Africa reaffirms its support for youth
The Speak Up Africa delegation was also represented at the plenary session of the Ready Summit, devoted to youth leadership on HIV/AIDS. The event reflects the NGO’s commitment to empowering young girls.
During the debates, Speak Up Africa reaffirmed its position in favor of universal access to preventive treatment and respect for sexual and reproductive health rights. The organization also promoted the application of the Maputo Protocol on women’s rights, in the face of rising conservatism.
Youth conference: an overview of the challenges
At the ICASA Youth Conference, Speak Up Africa was able to gauge the expectations of the new generation in the fight against HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Several avenues for improvement were identified, such as the creation of mentorships and discussion forums on sensitive subjects such as mental health and sexuality.
Strengthening the leadership and capacities of young people is a priority for Speak Up Africa. The organization will continue to support youth associations to ensure their involvement in the development of public health policies.
This article was produced thanks to Speak Up Africa’s « Lines for Impact » initiative.
