My Age Africa under its COMPASS ACCELERATE project hosted the GC8 Advocacy Roadmap Working Session.Held in Harare, this engagement brought together a diverse group of 20 stakeholders, including the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) substantive representative for youth, the Youth Health Movement, technical experts, and young people. The unified objective was to hone Zimbabwe’s collective voice and strategic approach within the Global Fund’s upcoming GC8 process.
The Global Fund’s GC8 cycle represents a critical juncture for Zimbabwe, offering a significant opportunity to secure vital resources for accelerating epidemic control. The pathway to success hinges on the submission of a robust, evidence-based HIV prevention package.
This package must be meticulously costly, integrate innovative solutions such as long-acting PrEP, and strategically prioritise interventions based on geographical need and population demographics. Furthermore, it is imperative that coverage targets are precisely aligned with prevailing epidemic thresholds to maximise impact.
Recognising the urgency and immense potential of this funding cycle, My Age Africa and the Youth Health Movement have proactively launched an advocacy roadmap. This strategic initiative is meticulously designed to ensure that youth constituencies are not merely consulted but are actively empowered to shape the priorities that will define Zimbabwe’s submission.
The session highlighted the paramount importance of sustained collaboration across various sectors. Civil society organisations, youth-led movements, and technical task forces must work in concert to safeguard agreed priorities, maintain critical momentum, and consistently reinforce advocacy efforts throughout the entire funding cycle.
This concerted and inclusive approach is not only vital for a successful GC8 bid but also for fostering a truly equitable and effective response to HIV in Zimbabwe.
