The PACT PODCAST

Why are young people still facing obstacles in accessing HIV services? Join hosts Kossi and Molly as they unpack the complex web of legal, policy, and social barriers affecting youth healthcare access worldwide. Through country-specific examples and scorecard data, this episode reveals how the age of consent laws, gaps in sexuality education, and persistent stigma continue to impact young people's health outcomes. From Nigeria to Vietnam, discover what needs to change to create more youth-friendly HIV services and support systems.

On this episode, we're shifting gears to focus on a crucial aspect of the #UPROOT project: advocacy. We're thrilled to have a special guest, Kaushal Ranasinghe, who is an integral part of the UPROOT project.

In this episode, we start by looking at Nigeria’s laws and policies. The scorecard reveals some positive developments but also areas that need significant improvement. On the positive side, Nigeria has laws addressing gender-based violence, including domestic and sexual violence. This is crucial for protecting vulnerable populations, especially young women and girls who are most affected by HIV. Listen for more!

Hey there, welcome to episode 1! Today, we're diving into the #UPROOT Scorecard Project. Ever wonder how we can end AIDS? Well, #UPROOT has a plan, and it's all about putting power in the hands of young people. We're talking about a global movement here, where youth are holding their governments' feet to the fire on HIV/AIDS promises. Listen to this episode!

Arisdo is a gay activist who is based in Indonesia

Dr Usman Ali is a medical graduate from Foundation University Pakistan. He has competed MBBS in 2016. Later worked with community-based organisation for HIV prevention and has worked with UNAIDS, UNDP, WHO and Global Fund on HIV public health response of Pakistan including grant making, PrEP research, PrEP services rollout and regional PrEP workshops. Currently, Im he is working as a freelance Public health consultant with various health organisations and as postgraduate Resident of psychiatry at King Edward Medical University. The university is the oldest medical teaching institute in Lahore. He provides mental healthcare services to people with emotional challenges, drug dependence, common mental illnesses including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar and schizophrenia. He is also a published researcher with 15 research articles to his credit

VENICIA AGNES FERNANDES is the Secretary of a youth focused organisation Human Touch Foundation, since 2019. An organisation with its core area in HIV, TB, SRHR , Drugs and Cyber Safety. With a graduation degree in Microbiology and Post-graduation in Biochemistry, She has been advising the organizational programmes, especially strategic directions on HIV, treatment literacy and adherence. She is currently a member of the PACT, Partnership & Resource Mobilization Working Group and has been delegated to the ICASA 2021. She is also working on the Universal Periodic Review for India this Year. She has represented HTF in Fight Aids Coalition advocates for treatment literacy on Advance HIV Disease (AHD) in India. Venicia has played a role in the Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD)’s Youth Forum 2021 and 2022, where she contributed to the regional and the country level briefs as country facilitator, rapporteur and moderator. Venicia has actively participated is campaigns related to Comprehensive sex education(CSE)in the Asia Pacific Region. She has completed courses in Data –Driven Advocacy by Arrow, Advocacy towards Policy preparedness by Treatment Action Group (TAG), De-Addiction Medication by Muktaa Charitable Foundation, Pune –India, Capacity building of civil society by National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj. As a strong advocate of young people living with HIV , she has represented or contributed on platforms like Nairobi Summit ICPD25, Global to Local Science and Community in Response to HIV in India by IAS, 23rd International conference 2020, 11th IAS conference on HIV science 2021, 6th Global Forum on TB Vaccines 2022 and HIV science and community in South Asia: Keeping HIV response effective in Pandemics symposium by Educational Fund IAS & ASHA Foundation India 2022. Human Touch Foundation and Venicia Agnes Fernandes is rewarded with numerous awards for its exemplary work in ending Aids in Goa & it's Contribution amid pendamic in providing assistance to PLHIV.

Nora Nyadzua is a 22 year old young Kenyan woman. She is currently serving as a Youth Advisory Panel Member at UNFPA- Kenya. Her upcoming Community Based Organisation is focused mainly on drug and substance abuse with relation to quality education amongst young people.

Danish Tariq is a Youth Advocate working for Meaningful and Inclusive Youth Participation, Informed Decision Making and Policy Advocacy. He is currently working as the Youth Focal Point at FP2030 and CEWG Pakistan selected by Ministry off National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Pakistan. He is the Project Officer at Youth Advocacy Network (YAN) and Fellow at the Population Reference Bureau, Washington DC.

Klaudia Szymuś is a medical student from Poland, serving as a Liaison Officer for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Issues, including HIV and AIDS in the International Federation for Medical Students’ Associations which represents 1.3 million medical students from 130 countries. She has worked in the field of SRHR for 6 years, with special interests in gender equality, gender and sexuality diversity and sexual health, implementing intersectional approaches such as effects of climate change on SRHR, access to services by vulnerable populations or health literacy in the context of sexual and reproductive health. Klaudia represented IFMSA in meetings such as World Health Assembly, Generation Equality Forum in France and High-Level Political Forum. She is also experienced in advocacy on Sustainable Development Goals and meaningful youth engagement. On the national level, she worked on advocating for access to safe abortion, family planning, comprehensive sexuality education, HIV&AIDS prevention and eliminating discrimination of LGBTQIA+ community through policy papers, grassroot campaigns and workforce education.