My Age Africa in collaboration with DAWA under the Connecting Adolescents girls and young women for HIV Prevention Project Provincial Symposium recently convened in Rutenga, Mwenezi District, bringing together 100 stakeholders dedicated to addressing the persistent HIV burden affecting adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Masvingo province. Co-organized by the Ministry of Health Mwenezi and NAC Mwenezi, the event focused on developing and implementing customized HIV prevention strategies specifically tailored for AGYW aged 15-24.
Key outcomes included enhanced AGYW representation, a clearly defined action plan, and reinforced stakeholder commitments to AGYW-led projects. The overarching goal was to empower young women and girls by addressing the challenges they encounter when accessing essential HIV prevention services.
Discussions centered around the theme of “Building Trust and Respect through Engaging Communities and AGYW in HIV Prevention Efforts,” recognizing trust-building and community engagement as cornerstones of effective prevention strategies. Two key questions guided the panel discussions:
AGYW participants identified stigma and unfriendly health corners as significant barriers. Plan International highlighted myths surrounding medication side effects and a lack of confidentiality within medical centers. Suggested interventions included non-judgmental attitudes from nurses and a call for AGYW to approach healthcare services with a more positive mindset. The importance of continued training for healthcare providers on adolescent-friendly care was also emphasized.
The panel discussions at the symposium focused on Innovative Community-Driven Financial Solutions to Support HIV Prevention and Reproductive Health for AGYW, or Mobilizing Local Resources, Community and District-Level Strategies to Fund HIV Prevention for AGYW. The discussion explored how local communities and districts can generate and manage resources for HIV prevention programs.
Specifically, the panel explored which innovative local financing models, such as savings groups, community investment funds, or youth-led enterprises, have demonstrated measurable, sustainable impact on HIV prevention for AGYW, and what makes them successful. Suggestions included:
- Increased representation of young people in health center communities and policy-making spaces.
- Community-led fundraising initiatives for HIV prevention.
- Support for youth-led initiatives.
- Community provision of resources to improve access to services.
The Provincial Symposium served as a vital platform for fostering collaboration, identifying key challenges, and developing innovative solutions to address the HIV burden among AGYW in Masvingo province.
The outcomes of the symposium provide a strong foundation for future action and a renewed commitment to empowering young women and girls through comprehensive HIV prevention strategies.
