Digital technology is in many ways a new frontier that is increasingly part of our everyday lives making the perspectives, experiences and lessons learned from key population communities and civil society even more crucial to ground and inform this report. As a leading expert at the global, regional and national level, Iwas invited by UNAIDS consultant Robin Montgomery to have a conversation on the topic of AI for HIV. The conversation covered a number of issues (opportunities, challenges, lessons learned, etc) where I provided the critical input to define and chart the path forward.
How do digital health innovations [and by extension, AI] figure into your organization’s/network’s current and future-oriented strategies?
What are the top 3-4 concerns/risks that you have/your organization has/your communities have expressed about integrating AI technologies into service delivery across the HIV care cascade?
What opportunities do you see for the greater integration of AI tools into HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services and programs?
What is needed to build community capacity to engage in AI for HIV interventions?
What are 2-3 key considerations that you would like UNAIDS to reflect within the incoming Global AIDS Strategy?
Are there examples of good practice digital health/AI interventions that you would recommend us to look at?
In 2024, the Youth PACT Partnership did a lot of Impactful work led by young people. In this article, we share some of the essential highlights of the year 2024.
Empowering Youth Through the UPROOT Scorecard Program
In 2024, The Youth PACT Partnership successfully implemented the UPROOT Scorecard Program in over six countries in collaboration with Youth Lead Asia Pacific YKP Network, YPlus Global, UNAIDS, and other stakeholders. This scorecard has been instrumental in assessing youth-led movements and youth engagement at the country level, empowering communities, and providing valuable insights through its comprehensive reports. Our UPROOT Scorecard strategic initiatives extended to various regions, including Nepal, Guatemala, and Madagascar. The project in India, Pakistan, and Ivory Coast since October 2020 has significantly impacted youth empowerment and advocacy.
Advocating for Human Rights and LGBTQIA+ Communities
The Youth PACT has been a vocal advocate for human rights, mainly focusing on the rights of young individuals affected by HIV, especially within the LGBTQIA+ community. Our advocacy efforts include reports, videos, and messages on our social media and website.
Participation in Global Events
Our members have actively participated in high-profile events like the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) and the ICPD 30 Conference in Geneva. Notable contributions include Kushal Rana Singh’s participation at ICPD30 and Xu Yahan’s at CSW68. Our member Adeeba Amin has actively engaged in various advocacy events, including representing adolescent girls in the ICPD30 Global Dialogue in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Digital Advocacy and Webinars
We’ve developed a comprehensive Digital Advocacy Manual, guiding young people in designing and implementing effective digital campaigns. Additionally, we’ve organised capacity-building webinars under ayKP Global Partnership on topics like “Network and Organizational Development” and “Monitoring and Evaluation.”
Raising Awareness of Critical Issues
The Youth PACT has been instrumental in raising awareness about criminalisation laws and their impact on the LGBTQIA+ community, with a notable focus on Ghana. We’ve consistently highlighted the importance of gender identity rights globally.
Contributions to the Global AIDS Conference 2024
Ali Raza Khan and Venicia Fernandes represented The Youth PACT at the Global AIDS Conference in Munich, Germany. During the Youth Pavilion sessions, they discussed youth-led monitoring, the impact of climate change on young people, and the HIV response.
Podcasts and Social Media Engagement
The Youth PACT has produced a series of podcasts related to the UPROOT Scorecard Program, available on our social media channels.
Addressing Emerging Health Concerns
We raised awareness about Monkeypox vaccination, especially among people living with HIV. Ali Raza Khan’s blog post “Vaccination as a Person Living with HIV” provides detailed insights on this topic.
Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) Advocacy
Our advocacy campaigns have highlighted the importance of Comprehensive Sexuality Education, mainly through the CSE Asia Pacific 2024 Conference.
Highlighting Global Issues and Achievements
From championing women’s, children’s, and LGBTQIA+ rights in Sri Lanka to addressing adolescent fertility challenges in Latin America, our members have contributed valuable content to our website and social media platforms.
Celebrating World AIDS Day
We ended the year by celebrating World AIDS Day, promoting the “Right Path” for respecting and accepting LGBTQIA+ and key populations’ rights to counter HIV stigma and achieve the UN goal of 95-95-95 by 2030. For World AIDS Day, we amplified the voices of young people living with HIV, calling on global leaders to invest in youth
Personal Contributions by Ali Raza Khan
I, Ali Raza Khan, a young gay activist living with HIV from Pakistan, have made significant contributions to The PACT and AIDS 2024. My engagements included:
HIV Science & Art Exhibition: We will display work at the HIV Science as Art exhibition, highlighting community activists’ struggles.
Participation as Speaker: Speaking at the International AIDS Society’s symposium on the impact of climate emergencies on communities.
Art Installation: I collaborated with artist Khairullah Rahim on an art installation called “Pigeon in Stone Forest,” which depicts the challenges faced by community workers.
The original article written by Ali Raza Khan is available on The Youth PACT website here.
Contributor: Ali Raza Khan HIV HERO Award recipient 2021
Ali Raza Khan is a young HIV positive gay activist from Pakistan working for the community since 2015, focused on SRHR, HIV, AIDS prevention and peace. He has worked with multiple local, national and international organizations for the rights of people living with HIV, men having sex with men and gays. As a founder of Pride Pakistan, he is currently working for men having sex with men gay and other queer communities in Pakistan. He is serving as member Communities’ delegation to the board of the Global Fund, member UNAIDS Advisory Group on Monitoring the 30-80-60 targets and co-lead partnership in The PACT. He is the winner of the HIV HERO Award 2021 by APCOM.
What is the situation of people living with HIV in your country?
People living with HIV in Pakistan are facing enormous challenges due to slow progress towards reducing stigma and discrimination during treatment when visiting health care facilities. People from the group of men having sex with men and gay community have to face it in a worse way as they have to get denial of treatments, discrimination from health care providers when accessing their HIV health care services. On a daily basis, the special HIV clinics councilors rather than providing counseling on HIV treatment use derogatory remarks each time any HIV positive individual from MSM and gay community visits them. Due to denial of treatment to HIV community members, I estimate hundreds of community members have died so far. Apart from this, many other community members are unable to bear stigma and psychological torture from government health care facilities resulting in increase in lost to follow up.
It not only is coming from health care providers only, but also from work spaces, society and other day to day interactions. We are seeing even key population members held in prison being raped and killed.
1. It becomes more traumatizing for gay community and male sex workers that are unable to openly show their identities in public forums online due to torture and arrest from security agencies torturing gay people on online gay platforms and on ground.
On the other hand, there are increases in new HIV cases due to deteriorating health care systems and pressure on healthcare facilities. Quack doctors also contribute to this along with societal practices. We see new and new outbreaks of HIV infections in the general public. Such as a few days ago in Multan home town hospital dozens of kidney patients got HIV during negligence in dialysis treatment.
2. Overall there is huge societal stigma and discrimination based on criminalizing laws all contributing towards increased cases of HIV infections in MSM and gay community. That is why I believe decriminalization of the same sex and gay community is the only solution to curb the new HIV infections and achieve 95 95 95 targets.
What and how are you/your organization doing to address these challenges?
We are working on empowering the community by raising awareness around men having sex with men and gay community issues and providing capacity building training around their health and rights. We have been organizing focus groups discussions, safe space gathering and capacity building sessions benefiting thousands of people so far.
We are doing advocacy online and offline for the rights of men having sex with men and gay people. We are working with partners globally to use diplomatic voice and influence to work around decriminalization. It is important to bring the voice of gay community members to the spotlight and in visibility that never gets highlighted, despite the fact that men having sex with men and gay people are one of the most vulnerable key populations.
What support do you/your organization need?
With decreasing funding for community work and restrictions and crack down by authorities for organizations working for men having sex with men, gay and queer communities, it is becoming difficult for gay organizations to operate. Our organization is also struggling with sustainable funds for the running cost of our functions and salaries. Making most of our members working on a volunteer basis. We need essential running costs to ensure uninterrupted work for our Pride Pakistan community.
Anything else you wish to add?
I believe the work we are doing for capacity building and empowerment of men having sex with men and gay people is difficult with a lot of hurdles coming ahead on our way but we will continue to do so because that is the right path. I wish one day other stakeholders and the government will also be able to take that right path. If you want to support my work feel free to reach me through AliRazakhan.com
Read the article on Asia Pacific Coalition of Men Having Sex with Men APCOM Website Here
Exploring Financial Data as a Proxy for Monitoring Community-Led HIV Response
This discussion focuses on the use of financial data to monitor the effectiveness of community-led HIV response efforts, specifically in relation to the 30-18-60 targets. The conversation builds upon a previous discussion in March, where Deepak presented initial findings on using financing data for monitoring. This session delves deeper into the results, tracking methods, and potential avenues for using financial data as a proxy measure for the 30-18-60 targets.
Timeline and Financial Flows
Deepak begins by outlining the timeline of monitoring financial flows through community-led HIV response. He highlights key milestones, including:
2021: National assessments were pending, with no differentiation between community-based and facility-based modalities.
2022: Six pilot projects provided valuable insights into resource tracking for community-led response, leading to the development of guidelines and updates to the UNAIDS spending assessment (NASA) framework.
2024: Several countries began implementing community-led response resource tracking at a micro level.
2025 and beyond: The goal is to provide standalone resource tracking modules for communities.
Deepak then presents data on international funding channeled to communities, showing a decline from 31% in 2013 to 25% in 2023. He emphasizes the lack of data on domestic financing and the need for disaggregation by community-led organizations (CLOs) versus other civil society organizations (CSOs).
NASA Dimensions and Vectors
Deepak explains the three dimensions of the NASA framework:
Financing: Tracks funding sources, entities, schemes, and fees.
Provisioning: Tracks service providers and production factors.
Consumption: Tracks spending categories, service delivery modalities, and beneficiary populations.
He then presents data on the percentage of funding channeled through community-based and home-based service delivery modalities, highlighting a decline from 17% to 8% over the years. This data is based on 17 countries and should be interpreted with caution due to variations in reporting across regions and years.
Pilot Projects and Lessons Learned
Deepak discusses the six-country pilot project on community-led resource tracking, which aimed to:
Track community-led organizations’ own resource use.
Include non-monetary contributions, such as volunteer time and in-kind donations.
The pilots helped shape guidelines for resource tracking and highlighted the need to consider both CLOs and other CSOs in the tracking process.
NASA Implementation and Data Collection
Deepak describes the implementation of a full NASA in Pakistan, which included:
Mapping and screening of CSOs and CLOs.
Self-administered questionnaires for identified CLOs.
Virtual interviews and data collection using NASA templates.
Valuation of non-monetary contributions, such as volunteer time and donated goods.
The Pakistan NASA revealed that almost 80% of funding for community-led organizations came from international sources, with a small proportion from domestic financing. The data also showed that a significant portion of the funding was directed towards prevention services for key populations.
Future Directions and Next Steps
Deepak outlines the future direction of community-led resource tracking, including:
Expanding the use of standalone resource tracking modules for communities.
Conducting NASA assessments in more countries, with a goal of reaching 30 countries by the end of 2026.
Further disaggregating data to track funding through both CLOs and CSOs.
The discussion concludes with a focus on the importance of aligning resource tracking with costing guidelines for community-led response. Participants emphasize the need for both financial and non-financial data to advocate for increased funding and support for community-led service delivery. The group acknowledges the challenges of data collection, particularly for smaller organizations, and the need for capacity building in record-keeping.
Hello everyone, Ali Raza Khan here. As an HIV-positive gay activist and the founder of Pride Pakistan, I am dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of individuals living with HIV. Today, I had the privilege of meeting with key members of the UNAIDS team, including Angeli Achrekar, Deputy Executive Director for the Programme, and Christine Stegling, Deputy Executive Director for Policy, Advocacy and Knowledge. Alongside other members of the Communities Delegation to the Board of the Global Fund, we engaged in an essential discussion about the upcoming Global Fund 52nd board meeting in Malawi’s capital next week.
The Dire Consequences of Reduced HIV Funding Our discussion highlighted some alarming data from UNAIDS. A reduction in HIV funding could lead to 1.3 million deaths in 12 countries. This stark statistic underpins our grave concerns about the potential regression in our progress against the HIV epidemic. Despite significant advances, there are still 9.3 million people in need of treatment and 1.3 million new infections globally each year. The situation is particularly dire for key populations such as children, adolescent girls, young women, and other marginalized groups who continue to suffer the most.
Innovations in HIV Treatment and Prevention We also discussed the importance of embracing new, game-changing innovations in the HIV response. One such innovation is the advent of long-acting injectables for HIV prevention. These new treatments could be as close as we’ve ever been to an effective HIV vaccine, with nearly 100% efficacy in reducing new infections. However, without adequate funding and support from the Global Fund, these innovations may not reach the populations that need them most.
The Broader Impact on Health Systems Our conversation extended to the broader implications of diminished HIV funding. The HIV response has significantly strengthened health systems worldwide, from lab infrastructures to community health workers and supply chain systems. These systems, which have also been critical in responding to other health crises like Ebola, are at risk if HIV funding is cut. Integration of HIV services with TB and family planning initiatives has already shown positive outcomes, and continuing this integration is crucial.
The Critical Role of Community Systems The Global Fund’s support for community systems and human rights protection is integral to ensuring these biomedical innovations reach those in need. A shift away from HIV funding could exacerbate inequalities and make addressing human rights and gender inequalities even more challenging. Communities play a vital role in the HIV response, and their involvement is essential for maintaining progress and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Our Commitment Moving Forward The UNAIDS team reiterated their commitment to providing any data or support we need as we prepare for our board interventions. As part of the Communities Delegation, we will continue to fight for sustained HIV funding and advocate for the populations most at risk. We are at a critical juncture where the decisions made can significantly impact the future of the HIV response and the lives of millions.
This meeting reinforced the urgency of our mission. We must continue to advocate fiercely for the resources and support needed to combat HIV. I remain committed to this cause and will continue to work towards ensuring that every individual living with HIV has access to the treatment and care they deserve.
Stay tuned for more updates from the Global Fund 52nd board meeting and our ongoing efforts to secure a brighter future for all. 🌍❤️
The fight against HIV/AIDS has seen tremendous progress in recent years. However, achieving the ambitious goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 requires innovative strategies and a focus on empowering the communities most affected by the virus. This is where the UNAIDS 30-60-80 targets come into play.
What are the UNAIDS 30-60-80 Targets?
The UNAIDS 30-60-80 targets are a set of ambitious goals outlined in the Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026. These targets aim to dramatically increase the involvement of community-led organizations in delivering critical HIV-related services and programs. Here’s a breakdown of each target:
30%: By 2025, at least 30% of HIV testing and treatment services should be delivered by community-led organizations. This includes crucial services like HIV testing, linking individuals to treatment, providing support for adherence and retention in treatment programs, and promoting treatment literacy.
60%: By 2025, a significant portion (60%) of programs that address societal enablers for HIV prevention and treatment should be delivered by community-led organizations. Societal enablers encompass broader social and structural factors that influence HIV outcomes. Examples include reducing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, promoting gender equality, and advocating for human rights.
80%: By 2025, a staggering 80% of HIV prevention services for populations most at risk of HIV infection, including women, should be delivered by organizations led by communities, key populations themselves (such as sex workers, people who inject drugs, and men who have sex with men), and women-led organizations. These services might include condom distribution, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and readily available HIV testing. Why are the 30-60-80 Targets Important?
These ambitious targets are crucial for achieving several key goals in the fight against HIV/AIDS:
Empowerment: Community-led organizations are uniquely positioned to understand the specific needs and challenges faced by their communities. By increasing their role in delivering services, the targets empower these communities to take ownership of the HIV response. Improved Access: Community-based organizations often have established trust and reach within their communities. This allows them to provide services in a more culturally appropriate and accessible way, leading to potentially higher utilization by individuals who might otherwise hesitate to access traditional healthcare settings. Tailored Interventions: Community-led organizations have a deep understanding of local contexts and can design interventions that are more responsive to the specific needs of key populations and people living with HIV. Challenges and the Path Forward
Reaching the 30-60-80 targets requires addressing some challenges. Currently, there’s a lack of robust tracking systems to monitor progress towards these goals. Additionally, sustainable funding for community-led organizations is critical to ensuring their long-term effectiveness. Despite these challenges, the UNAIDS 30-60-80 targets represent a bold and necessary step towards ending the AIDS epidemic. By increasing community ownership and leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS, these targets can help ensure that no one is left behind, and that critical services reach those who need them most.
Myself Ali Raza Khan is Committed to Accurate Information on HIV/AIDS :
On my site AliRazaKhan.com I believe in providing accurate and up-to-date information on HIV/AIDS for community and key population awarenss. I hope this article on the UNAIDS 30-60-80 targets sheds light on a crucial aspect of the global strategy towards ending the AIDS epidemic.
It was an honor to be invited by the UNICEF-led Global Partnership for Adolescents and Young Key Populations (Global ayKP Partnership) to speak at their recent event. The topic, “Connectedness & Community,” resonates deeply with the work we are doing on the ground in Pakistan for children and young people living with HIV and other vulnerable key populations, including gays, MSM (men who have sex with men), and sex workers. Here’s a summary of the insights I shared during the session.
At HIV Voices, we define ourselves as a youth-led initiative working for young people living with HIV and adolescents from key populations. Our approach leverages digital and innovative methods to reach individuals who are often difficult to engage due to their circumstances and locations in Pakistan. Our group comprises a diverse array of young people dedicated to spreading awareness about HIV, prevention methods, and addressing the unique challenges we face, including security concerns and the impact of climate change.
Engagement and Empowerment
One of our core activities involves ensuring that adolescent and young key population (ykp) voices are heard. This includes:
Mobilizing our members
Conducting capacity-building training sessions
Utilizing various platforms and methods available on the ground
Making our voices heard at national and global levels through letter and story campaigns, particularly on digital and social media platforms.
Fostering Reproductive Health and Rights
We place significant emphasis on the reproductive health and rights of adolescents and young girls. Our efforts are not just about HIV prevention but also about creating a safe space where key populations can voice their concerns and work together to tackle issues that affect their well-being.
Connectedness as a Core Theme
The theme of connectedness is at the heart of our work, especially in a conservative country like Pakistan, where key populations are criminalized, and safe spaces are scarce. We often face pressure from various security-related entities and other stakeholders, which can hinder our efforts. However, understanding and navigating these conditions is our strength. As young people and peer mentors, we know how to deal with the issues we encounter on the ground, ensuring that young people from key populations and other stakeholders remain connected and that our voices are heard.
Addressing Interconnected Issues
When working with vulnerable key populations, we sometimes overlook interconnected issues. Our programs and activities aim to bridge this gap by raising awareness and fostering collaboration among different groups. For example, we’ve facilitated exercises that help participants understand how issues affecting one key population are linked to those of another, promoting a more unified approach to addressing these challenges.
A Message of Empowerment
Allow me to share a powerful message from Aslam, a young man living with HIV and a member of our group, Young Positive People of Pakistan:
“Hello everyone, my name is Aslam, and I’m a young man living with HIV. When I was diagnosed through a community-based organization working for key populations, I felt the need for additional support and a desire to contribute to my community. Connecting with Young Positive People of Pakistan not only helped me feel supported but also empowered me in navigating HIV-related systems. Since becoming a member, I have expanded my knowledge about the global fund process in Pakistan, learned about the contributions of various stakeholders, and represented young PLHIV (people living with HIV) on national and international platforms. This involvement has enabled me to address our community’s issues effectively and advocate for our rights.”
The work we do on the ground, driven by the theme of connectedness, is vital. It’s crucial for global organizations and partnerships to continue supporting these efforts at a global level. The empowerment and collaboration of young key populations are essential to creating an inclusive and effective response to HIV. Thank you to the Global Partnership for Adolescents and Young Key Populations for providing this platform and for recognizing the importance of our collective efforts.
Hey there! 🌟 I wanted to share some exciting and important news with you all. In May 2023, I was invited to join the UNAIDS Global Advisory Group on Monitoring the 30-80-60 Targets. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a member of this incredible team. As an HIV-positive gay activist from Pakistan, I know firsthand the challenges and stigma that come with living with HIV. This opportunity has been a powerful way for me to advocate for our community on a global stage.
Why My Representation Matters:
The 30-80-60 Targets are part of the 2021 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS. These targets aim to prevent millions of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths by 2030. They specifically call for community-led organizations to deliver:
30% of testing and treatment services.
2. 80% of HIV prevention services for high-risk populations.
3. 60% of programs to support societal enablers, reducing stigma, punitive laws, and gender-based violence.
Community-led organizations, like the ones I work with, play a critical role in achieving these targets. Our unique experiences, perspectives, and voices are essential in shaping effective strategies. We’re self-determined and autonomous, free from external influences, which allows us to truly represent and be accountable to our communities.
My Role and Contributions:
During our first meeting on May 10th, 2023, we discussed the development of a robust monitoring framework for these targets. We explored existing data collection and reporting mechanisms and identified opportunities to strengthen them. This is crucial because there’s currently no standardized system to track progress towards these targets.
Serving on this advisory group has been a humbling and empowering experience. It’s a reminder that our voices matter and that we can drive meaningful change. By representing young HIV-positive gay individuals and sex workers from Pakistan and the EMRO region, I’m committed to ensuring our needs and challenges are addressed.
As we move forward, our collaborative efforts will be instrumental in shaping a monitoring framework that drives positive change in the global fight against HIV. Together, we can make a difference and create a world where everyone has access to the care, support, and dignity they deserve.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more updates! 🌍❤️
On May 10th, 2023, the UNAIDS Global Advisory Group on Monitoring the 30-80-60 Targets convened for their first meeting. This group, composed of global stakeholders dedicated to advancing the fight against HIV, gathered to discuss the development of a monitoring framework for the ambitious 30-80-60 targets set in the 2021 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS. The meeting brought together diverse voices, including Ali Raza Khan, an HIV-positive gay activist from Pakistan, who represents young HIV-positive gay individuals and sex workers from the EMRO region. The meeting began with opening remarks from key UNAIDS representatives, highlighting the importance of the 30-80-60 targets. The targets aim to prevent 3.6 million new HIV infections and 1.7 million AIDS-related deaths by 2030 through community-led efforts.
Overview of the 30-80-60 Targets:
30 per cent of testing and treatment services, focusing on HIV testing, linkage to treatment, adherence, retention support, and treatment literacy.
2. 80 per cent of HIV prevention services for populations at high risk of infection, including women within those populations.
3. 60 per cent of programs supporting societal enablers to reduce stigma, discrimination, punitive laws, and gender-based violence.
The advisory group discussed the need for a robust monitoring framework to track progress towards the 30-80-60 targets. Existing data collection and reporting mechanisms used by community-led organizations were explored. Ideas to strengthen and build on these mechanisms to inform national and global monitoring were shared. The group expressed the need for more discussion and engagement to ensure everyone is on the same page. Participants were encouraged to provide feedback and suggest amendments to the proposed process for developing the monitoring framework. The importance of agreeing on principles and critical success factors to ensure the framework’s effectiveness was highlighted.
Conclusion: The first meeting of the UNAIDS Global Advisory Group on Monitoring the 30-80-60 Targets set a strong foundation for future efforts. The diverse perspectives and insights shared by members, including Ali Raza Khan, emphasized the importance of inclusive and community-led approaches to achieve the ambitious 2025 targets. As the group moves forward, their collaborative efforts will be instrumental in shaping a monitoring framework that drives meaningful change in the global fight against HIV. 🌍❤️
Ali Raza Khan, an HIV-positive gay activist from Pakistan, has been invited to join the UNAIDS Global Advisory Group on Monitoring the 30-80-60 Targets. This esteemed group comprises global stakeholders dedicated to advancing the fight against HIV. Ali’s involvement marks a significant step towards ensuring the voices of young HIV-positive gay individuals and sex workers from Pakistan and the EMRO region are heard and represented in global HIV initiatives.
Background on the 30-80-60 Targets:
The 2021 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS, adopted by United Nations Member States, set forth ambitious targets to be achieved by 2025. The goals are to prevent 3.6 million new HIV infections and 1.7 million AIDS-related deaths by 2030. Three specific targets emphasize the role of community-led organizations in delivering HIV-related services:
30 per cent of testing and treatment services, focusing on HIV testing, linkage to treatment, adherence, retention support, and treatment literacy.
2. 80 per cent of HIV prevention services for populations at high risk of infection, including women within those populations.
3. 60 per cent of programs supporting societal enablers to reduce stigma, discrimination, punitive laws, and gender-based violence.
Community-led organizations are pivotal in the HIV response, reflecting the experiences, perspectives, and voices of their constituencies. These organizations operate independently of government, commercial, or donor influences, ensuring they are truly representative and accountable to their communities.
Ali Raza Khan brings a wealth of experience and passion to the advisory group.
As the founder of Pride Pakistan and an advocate for HIV-positive gay individuals and sex workers, Ali’s insights are invaluable. His participation underscores the importance of including marginalized voices in global health strategies. The advisory group aims to develop a robust monitoring framework for the 30-80-60 targets. This involves exploring existing data collection and reporting mechanisms used by community-led organizations and identifying opportunities to strengthen them. Ali’s involvement will ensure that the unique challenges and needs of key populations are considered in the framework. Ali’s membership in the advisory group highlights the recognition of the crucial role that young HIV-positive gay activists play in the global HIV response. His advocacy efforts will contribute to the development of effective strategies to achieve the 30-80-60 targets and improve the lives of those affected by HIV. Ali Raza Khan’s inclusion in the UNAIDS Global Advisory Group on Monitoring the 30-80-60 Targets is a testament to his dedication and leadership in the fight against HIV. His unique perspective and experience will be instrumental in shaping the future of HIV prevention, treatment, and support services. 🌍❤️
In a heartfelt testimony during a UN high-level meeting debrief for young people living with HIV and young key populations, Eamonn Murphy, UNAIDS Director for Regional Support Teams for Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe and Central Asia regions, extended his appreciation for Ali Raza Khan’s remarkable activism.
Ali Raza Khan, a HIV positive gay activist, has dedicated his life to advocating for the rights of men having sex with men, gay people, sex workers, and other HIV key populations in Pakistan and globally. His tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed, earning him the respect and admiration of leaders and organizations worldwide.
“People like Ali Raza Khan who made statements in this global momentum that started at country and built up by putting his statements and voices out there so it’s really important,” Murphy remarked. These words encapsulate the essence of Khan’s contribution to the global fight against HIV and the broader struggle for human rights.
Ali Raza Khan’s activism is not just about raising awareness; it’s about creating a platform for the voiceless and ensuring that the challenges faced by HIV key populations are brought to the forefront of global discussions. His work highlights the intersection of health, human rights, and social justice, making him a pivotal figure in the movement.
Through his own initiatives and support of Youth LEAD Asia Pacific YKP network, YPlus Global, and collaborations with the UNAIDS office, Khan continues to push for systemic change and equitable treatment for marginalized communities. His unwavering commitment and impactful actions inspire many to join the fight for a world where every individual, regardless of their HIV status or social identity, can live with dignity and respect.
Regional Director UNAIDS Appreciating Ali Raza Khan efforts of raising Voices for people living with HIV and young key populations including men having sex with men and gays
This testimony by Eamonn Murphy stands as a testament to Ali Raza Khan’s extraordinary work and the vital role he plays in the ongoing struggle for HIV awareness and rights advocacy. His journey is a powerful reminder of the difference one person can make in the face of adversity, and his voice remains a beacon of hope and resilience for many.
Watch the whole sesssion online Youth Lead Asia Pacific YKP facebook page or UNAIDS youtube channel below
