Youth Unite to Combat HIV

YHHI x Angsamerah x Semak.id Collaboration – Building a Healthier Future

In commemoration of World AIDS Day on December 17, 2023, Angsamerah, Youth Health Hub Indonesia (YHHI), and Semak.id collaborated to organize a mini workshop in Rancabango, Garut, with theme “Youth Unite to Combat HIV”, focused on providing education and training on HIV/AIDS prevention and management, while encouraging youth participation in health advocacy and policy-making in their communities.

Community-Based Approach: Sharing Knowledge, Empowering Youth

Kurnia Dwijayanto, Chairman of Angsamerah Foundation (Yayasan Anak Bangsa Merajut Harapan), opened the event by delivering basic education on HIV/AIDS, including transmission, prevention, and the challenges faced in Indonesia. Kurnia emphasized that one of the biggest obstacles to HIV prevention is the stigma that remains deeply rooted, particularly in rural areas. This interactive discussion enlightened the participants on the importance of sexual health, which is often overlooked.

HIV/AIDS remains a global health challenge, with 39 million people living with HIV worldwide in 2022, and Indonesia ranks among the highest in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of HIV prevalence.

Next, Irene Bougenville Martin, Chairman of YHHI, encouraged the youth to take a more active role in health advocacy. Irene highlighted how youth can become agents of change in their communities, either through local initiatives or by participating in policy-making that supports sexual and reproductive health. She also guided the participants in mapping the challenges related to stigma and discrimination, which are still prevalent in Indonesian society, especially in rural areas.

Forum Group Discussion: Building Strategies Together

The Forum Group Discussion (FGD) session became the core of the event, where participants discussed the root causes of sexual health and HIV/AIDS issues in their communities. Using a fishbone diagram, they identified various causes, ranging from lack of education and social stigma to limited access to healthcare.

The participants, mostly youth, played an active role in developing advocacy strategies and identifying stakeholders to involve, such as local government, community leaders, and educational institutions. From this discussion, various creative ideas emerged, including social media campaigns, art festivals, and dialogues with village officials as steps to increase HIV awareness in their communities.

In this session, Irene and Kurnia also emphasized that youth have the power to create change, both through grassroots initiatives and by engaging in policy-making that focuses on improving sexual and reproductive health.

Youth Involvement: A Key Pillar for Sustainable Program Development

The results of the event demonstrated that collaboration between urban and rural youth can bring about real change. Creative ideas, such as social media campaigns and art festivals, not only broaden the reach of messages about HIV prevention but also strengthen relationships between communities.

The sustainability of this program is highly achievable through the enthusiasm of the participants and the positive outcomes of the discussions. With support from various stakeholders such as the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), Angsamerah Foundation, YHHI, and Semak.id, this program can be developed into a broader and more sustainable advocacy initiative.

One of the key findings from this event was the importance of youth involvement in developing HIV/AIDS prevention programs. Here are a few reasons why youth involvement is crucial for program sustainability:

1. Innovation and Creativity: Youth bring fresh and innovative ideas. New concepts discussed, such as social media campaigns and art festivals, show how their creative thinking can reach more people in the community.
2. Sustained Advocacy: Involving youth in the advocacy process creates continuity in the program. When youth actively voice HIV-related issues, they help shape the future of a more health-conscious community.
3. Connection with the Community: Youth often have better access to their peers and other age groups, making them effective agents in spreading messages about HIV prevention to a wider audience.
4. Raising Public Awareness: Through direct involvement, youth can help reduce the stigma often associated with people living with HIV/AIDS. An inclusive and empathetic approach allows youth to become drivers of change in their communities.

Toward a More Aware and Engaged Society

This event demonstrated that the challenges of HIV/AIDS cannot be solved by medical treatment alone. Cross-sector collaboration and community involvement, particularly youth, are key to building a more aware and engaged society in HIV prevention.

The sustainability of this program depends not only on education but also on consistent efforts to eradicate stigma and discrimination related to HIV. With the continuous engagement of youth and support from various stakeholders, we can build a healthier and stigma-free future in Garut and beyond.

To continue this momentum, the next step is to strengthen collaboration between youth, communities, and other stakeholders. Support from the government and local organizations is also critical to ensuring that this program is sustainable and has a broader impact. Through programs like this, the message about HIV prevention can reach all levels of society, especially those in rural areas.

Let’s continue this momentum and create positive change together!