The International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA)

From December 01 to 05, the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections was held in Harare, Zimbabwe. An extremely enriching experience.

Young people are the most exposed to sexually transmitted infections. Thanks to the Voix EssentiELLES and Her Voice initiatives at ICASA 2023, we will have an educated youth to carry the voice of AIDS prevention. Following the presentation of the two organizations’ strategies, we note many points in common, notably the accompaniment of so-called small organizations, the technical support offered to organizations, and of course, the importance of advocacy to achieve sustainable change.

ICASA 2023, Sex education is taboo in African communities. The solutions often mentioned in the various panels are first and foremost to focus on advocacy to make young people’s voices heard, and on education for responsible sexuality. Accompany, support, train and reinforce to tackle inequalities and put an end to HIV/AIDS.

Thanks to the support of various organizations such as Speak Up Africa as part of the Voix EssentiELLES project, initiatives have been developed, but the lack of information and access to sexual and reproductive health tools leaves the door open to sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.

What struck me at ICASA was the involvement of young people. They’re not just there to fill out the diversity of representation. They were present and involved. They moderated the panels, ran the exhibits, managed the stands and mastered the concept.

ICASA is a unique platform in the sense that it allows free expression without a priori judgments. The unavailability of space for expression limits progress in both health and GBV. Voix EssentiELLES, like Her Voice, provides a human understanding of the issues.

My favorite was the panel on: Keeping girls in school is a human right and a way to protect them from HIV. I work on keeping girls in school and on their health and well-being within the school. So, an opportunity for me to consider a peer-led awareness and prevention project.

I was very impressed by the peer educators’ stands. Peer education is an initiative similar to those I have within my organization on sexual and reproductive health and menstrual hygiene. This time, however, the focus was exclusively on HIV/AIDS, with awareness-raising carried out by young people who have lived the experience for young people. I’m going to make the most of the connections I’ve made to extend the West African civil society platform and form solutions and approaches in Matam based on the experiences of my peers. ICASA 2023, Educating young people about responsible sexuality is necessary, because their voice is essential in AIDS prevention.

Written by WOPPA DIALLO | Executive Director AMFE SENEGAL