Join us at 25th International AIDS Society conference #IAS2024

We are participating in this year’s 25th International AIDS Society – #IAS2024 conference from the 22nd – 26th July 2024 in Munich, Germany and virtually. Dubbed #PutPeopleFirst, this conference will bring together individuals from around the world impacted by HIV/AIDS and professionals working on AIDS. Sonke Gender Justice aims to share community realities related to AIDS with focus on activities of the PowerToYouth Program and the MenEngage network. 

Our team will be hosting two events to show the intersections of accessing services and positive interventions for HIV prevention among young people. Here is a rundown of the events. 

The Threat of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act to the Health and life of LGBTIQ+ People Living with HIV and the Role of MenEngage Uganda in Ensuring Continued Access to Services

Date: 23rd July 2024 
Time: 12:00-13:00 CET
Venue: In-person poster exhibition area 

This poster presentation will highlight the urgent need to address the intersection of HIV and LGBTQ+ rights in the context of discriminatory legislation, while underscoring the pivotal role of organizations like MenEngage Uganda in upholding the health and dignity of LGBTI individuals living with HIV in Uganda.

Uganda’s recent enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act-AHA heightened the vulnerability of the LGBTI community, particularly those living with HIV as required health workers, legal service providers and others to report LGBTQ+ members seeking services to police for appropriate action, posing a significant threat to the health and well-being of LGBTI individuals, impeding their access to essential HIV-related services and putting them at increased risk of stigma, discrimination, and violence. 

Challenging the script: Designing gender-positive interventions for HIV prevention in young people.

Date: 23rd July 2024 
Time: 13:30 -15-30 CET
Venue: Global Village session room 2

This workshop with our Power To You(th) partner will be analysing HIV prevention strategies by challenging traditional gender norms. Participants will examine the impact of gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic factors on HIV vulnerability. Participants will share their views on existing interventions against #AIDS through positive messaging. Interactive exercises and case studies that promote practical application of gender-positive principles, fostering collaboration, will stimulate conversations for more meaningful youth-centred interventions. 

During our participation in this conference, we hope to engage in learning sessions, create connections and foster collaboration for interventions against the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, #PutPeopleFirst.