HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: Visions, Voices, and Priorities of Young People Living with and Most Affected by HIV

Link Up is a five-country project to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of one million young people most affected by HIV in Bangladesh, Burundi, Ethiopia, Myanmar and Uganda. It is designed to strengthen the integration of HIV and SRHR programs and service delivery, focusing specifically on young men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who use drugs, transgender people, and young women and men living with HIV.

The following prioriites are outlined, along with guidelines for implementing each:

1. Provide quality sexual and reproductive health services from ethical and well-trained health service providers tailored to the needs, rights, and desires of young people—especially those living with and most affected by HIV

2. Protect, respect, and promote young people’s sexual and reproductive rights, including their right to love and be loved safely and freely

3. Ensure full access to age-appropriate information and education on HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights, including on sexual orientation and gender identity

4. Promote gender equality and address gender-based violence, including sexual violence, in all its forms, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity

5. Meaningfully engage young people, in all their diversity, in all decision-making that affects their lives

Source: International HIV/AIDS Alliance

Date of Publication: January 21, 2021