Since the inception of National AIDS Council, adolescents and young people have continued to be an integral part of the HIV and AIDS national response. The National Youth Program which was established specifically to coordinate the multi-sectorial response to HIV and AIDS for adolescents and young people continues to be instrumental in countering their HIV and AIDS related challenges and lived experiences. As the country continues its journey to ending AIDS by 2030, a landmark that will fundamentally contribute to vision 2030 and Agenda 2063, adolescents and young people who constitute 40% of the Zimbabwean Population remain a priority in achieving an AIDS free generation. The HIV response has continued to evolve over the years with game changing innovations and inventions under biomedical and behavioural intevernsions implemented targeting high risk geographical locations and sectors of young people. The Zimbabwe National AIDS Strategic Plan 1V recognizes the significance of investing in adolescents and young people and how such an investment feeds into the broader national development agenda of being an upper middle income society by 2030. The National Youth Program feeds directly into the National Development Strategy 1 under the Social Development component which focuses on Health and Well-being, Human Capital Development and Social Protection. Scaling up on-going Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) initiatives targeting risk reduction, economic empowerment, education and demand generation for service uptake using peer led and interpersonal communication approaches is key in the strategy.
Meaningful and Inclusive Youth Participation (MIYP) continues to be at the centre of National AIDS Council’s principles and core values. The standard has been upheld and sustained through convening of the Young People’s Network on Sexual Reproductive Health, HIV and AIDS Network since 2007 through support from the United Nations Family, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council and other key stakeholders. The network coordinates the national voice of young people on Sexual Reproductive Health, HIV and AIDS issues, harnessing evidence and forwarding policy, programmatic and investment recommendations from its membership drawn from sectors that include but not limited to:
- Youth in and out of school
- Youth in tertiary
- Youth living with HIV
- Youth with disability
- Youth from key affected populations
- Youth in governance
- Youth in faith-based organisations
- Youth in farming and resettlement areas
- Youth in mining
- Youth in rehabilitation centres
- Youth in sports
- Youth in media
- Youth in Arts
- Youth In Fishing Camps