User:Kintu kenny/sandbox

WHO WE ARE? The African Young Positives Network (AY+) is a regional network for young people living with HIV/AIDS across Africa that was launched in 2011 during the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa. AY+ was born out of a pertinent need for a platform to engage young people living with HIV to take charge, lead the process and protect their Human Rights, and for greater and meaningful involvement in the fight to end the AIDS epidemic. Aiming at greater participation of young men and women living with HIV in Africa in the HIV and AIDS response at the national level specifically in policy and law development processes, research program development, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

Since its inception in 2011, AY+ has been driven by an underlying philosophy that young men and women living with HIV are not “’ just beneficiaries but great contributors to the AIDS Success Story’’. We refuse to be treated as being ‘Vulnerable’ but rather we demand that young people living with HIV be recognized and engaged as Key Actors and Partners that are a Solution and Critical Resource to achieve the 90-90-90 Global targets to end AIDS by 2030.

Vision The AY+ vision is an African continent where the rights, welfare, and interests of young men and women living with HIV are assured and protected.  Mission The mission of the AY+ is to empower networks of young people living with HIV to mitigate the impact of HIV in Africa through meaningful engagement to advance the health, welfare, and rights of A/YPLHIV.

Countries where we Operate AY+ is currently working within 22 countries within Africa; Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Swaziland, Malawi, Zambia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, South Sudan, DRC, Ghana, Burundi, Cameron, South Africa, Mozambique, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Somalia, and Uganda. We mobilize YPLHIV and partners across the region and beyond to support sustainable community development interventions for and by YPLHIV where they are equipped with appropriate tools and support to drive their own agendas and actively contribute to the SDGs.

Governance and Management AY+ has four main organs that are responsible for its governance and management. These include the AY+ General Assembly, the AY+ Steering Committee, the AY+ Advisory Board, and the AY+ Secretariat.

AY+ objectives are to; •	Serve as a coordinating platform for A/YPLHIV networks and groups in the African region •	Strengthen capacity and support the development of country networks of YPLHIV in Africa •	Build synergies and develop joint advocacy and communication strategies across country networks and partner organizations to benefit YPLHIV in Africa •	Strengthen governance and leadership capacity of AY+ as a regional network of YPLHIV in Africa.

Operating Language English serves as the operating language for AY+ with every effort made to accommodate the inclusion and participation of French, Portuguese, and Swahili speakers.

African Young Positives Network (AY+) Website