Y Chapter [Y+] IN PAKISTAN

UNDER THE AASOCIATION OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV [APLHIV]-PAKISTAN

Background

Association of People Living with HIV [APLHIV]-Pakistan is a nationwide network of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS and associated Key Populations (KPs), which was established in 2008, in response to the absence of an appropriate voice to address the rights and issues of marginalized people, provide a quality life to infected, affected people and KPs, to ensure the dignity of their lives and provide them with a vibrant platforms to speak in unison without any discrimination of gender, age, colour, creed or religion and ensure their meaningful involvement at policy and decision making levels. The APLHIV supports the principle of meaningful engagement of affected and infected communities in addressing their issues. The APLHIV has been working with the HIV Community, vulnerable and marginalized populations but due to lack of commitment and resources the Young KPs and YPLHIV were left out as a focused case. The current program agenda of APLHIV under its 1st strategic framework [2015-2020] includes but not limited to; research, information, awareness, advocacy, public private partnership, social mobilization, education, HIV/AIDS prevention and impact mitigation through peer to peer approaches and mobilization into groups and networks, development of community action plans, trainings, capacity buildings and community based monitoring and networking.

Need Of Y Chapter [Y+]

The estimated HIV prevalence, among young key population, 15-24 year-olds from 2005 to 2012, decreased in some countries in South Asia, while it has more than doubled in Pakistan. At the end of 2012, there were an estimated 2200 adolescents 15-19 years living with HIV, and 1100 new infections. Pakistan has a large ‘young’ population bulge with 21.5 percent of the population of the world’s sixth most populous nation, between 15-24years. While most are not at risk for HIV, many are vulnerable due to economic and cultural factors and weak service provision systems to support them. Youth reproductive health services are virtually non-existent, community based information interventions are few with low coverage and with no youth specific organizations in place. Opportunities for synergies with development sectors such as Child Protection, Education and Social Welfare to address structural vulnerabilities exist in Pakistan, but these sectors themselves face many challenges and competing agendas, and coordination with the HIV sector is weak.

The estimated number of Young People living with HIV/AIDS (YPLHIV) in Pakistan remained 12,203 with a HIV prevalence of 0.03 among this age bracket, in the general population. Approximately 4,252 new infections in same age group occurred in 2014, alone. In same age group HIV related deaths during 2014 are as high as 94. The estimated number of young key population aging from 15-24 is estimated to be over 150,000 by end 2014. Lack of structural support (e.g. education, social/legal protection, protection) can fuel HIV vulnerability and risk taking behaviours. Disparities in age, stage of development (biological, social, emotional) and legal status make young people more vulnerable to HIV infection than adults, and even more difficult to support once infected. HIV infection in same age group in Pakistan has more than doubled in last decade, but ironically youth friendly services for YPLHIV and/or YKPs are almost non-existing. The young people have their specific issues and needs which need to be addressed for a safe future generation. Global Fund and other partners attaches a greater importance to engagement of YPLHIV and YKPs in addressing their issues This illustrates a need to take young people from HIV community and key populations on board around the table while making policies and decisions affecting their lives. The situation also necessitates enabling the youth to advocate for their rights and health.

Keeping same in view, the APLHIV with technical and Financial support of Youth Lead ( a Regional organization for Youth in Asia Pacific) decided to launch a semi independent network for YPLHIV/YKPs “Y Chapter” [Y+] in Pakistan under the umbrella of the APLHIV. Establishment of such a group is also one of the deliverables of the “1st Strategic Frame work of the APLHIV”.

Mission

Mobilize young people from infected and affected communities and to develop skilled and empowered leaders for tomorrow.

Vision

The Y Chapter envisions a platform/mechanism where the young people exercise their rights for healthy, dignified and respectful lives, and are leaders in addressing their issues tailored to their needs and rights.

Goal

Capacitate and foster the engagement of young people to influence policy and decision-making processes which affect their lives and providing them a platform to speak in unison for their rights and health.

Objectives

 

  1. YPLHIV and members of YKPs are mobilized to speak in unison across the country about their issues including health and rights and seek a way forward.
  2. To capacitate YPLHIV and members of YKPs to enable them to become leaders and Advocates for their rights.
  3.  Empower YPLHIV and members of YKPs to enable them to contribute effectively in policy and decision making processes.

 

Structure of the Y Chapter

The Y Chapter will be a platform for all the members of YKPs and YPLHIV ageing from 15 to 25 years from across the country, which will work under the APLHIV as an integral part. The Y Chapter will work under the umbrella of APLHIV. Necessary amendments and review of existing policies and by laws shall be carried out accordingly.  Initially the Y Chapter will be represented by an elected steering committee of five [5] people from across the country. The APLHIV shall be responsible for capacitating the Y Chapter and steering committee to meet the mission, vision and goals. The organizations/donors working with and for the young people shall be requested for financial and technical support to sustain this group till accomplishment of its mission and goals. A full time Young Officer [YO] from same age group shall be hired to coordinate the activities and he/she will work under supervision of the National Coordinator.

Steering Committee

Initially the Y Chapter will be represented by Five [5] members steering committee from across the country based on following criteria: –

  1. Ageing from 15 to 25 years.
  2. Must be a declared member of key Population and or a YPLHIV.
  3. Must be capable to communicate effectively on issues related to the community.
  4. One [1] members from each of the provinces and one [1] member from Regions [Islamabad, AK, GB and FATA] shall constitute the steering committee..

Role & Responsibilities of Steering Committee & Y Chapter

The Steering Committee consisting of five (5) members is expected to represent the Y Chapter and perform following functions, while remaining within the frame work/fold of the APLHIV and under the supervision of APLHIV: –

  1. Contribute in shaping the response for the needs of young people from KPs and YPLHIV.
  2. Identify prioritized areas where work on urgent bases is required to empower the young people. Prioritization shall be carried out on the bases of information, good practices and evidence based work plan.
  3. Carry out advocacy campaigns with public and private sectors on prioritized issues. The APLHIV will arrange funds and required technical skills/capacity building to carry out the campaigns by making proposal to seek funds.
  4. Link up with other organizations including but not limited to government, NGOs and CBOs working for the health response and rights of young people in the region.
  5. To hold meetings on quarterly bases [depending on funds]to review the progress made and to suggest a way forward to address the needs of young people.
  6. Highlighting and document violence and other human rights violations.
  7. All members of the shall work on voluntary, a pro-bono basis and shall not charge any remuneration for their service other than traveling allowance and or per diem as per the policy of the APLHIV.
  8. It will work within the guidelines provided by the strategic Frame work, bylaws and SOPs of the APLHIV.
  9. The steering committee/ Y Chapter is not responsible for day- to- day operations and must maintain regular contact with the National Coordinator of the APLHIV.
  10. It shall be responsible to provide inputs/suggestions to the National Coordinator about the priorities and issues to be addressed in relation to the young people.
  11. Identify needs of the young people propose corresponding agenda to address the needs.

Role & Responsibilities Of The APLHIV

The Y Chapter [Y+] shall be housed within the premises of the Federal Secretariat of the APLHIV.  A Post of Young Officer [YO] shall be created and sustained. The YO will work under the supervision of the National Coordinator/Dy National Coordinator of the APLHIV and will be responsible for his/her duties to the National/Dy National Coordinator. Separate records will be kept updated by the National Coordinator in this regard. The important role and responsibilities of the APLHIV include but not limited to: –

  1. Facilitating the selection process of steering committee and capacitating it to be functional.
  2. Keeping updated records related to the Y+ and related Projects.
  3. Arrange necessary funding to keep the Network and the YO position operative and sustained.
  4. Create linkages with other groups, agencies and forum working for YPLHIV/YKPs.
  5. Developing proposal for empowerment of young people and to acquire related projects.
  6. Coordinating, facilitating and supervising the Advocacy efforts.
  7. Including and maintaining the working on website and social media links of the APLHIV.
  8. Preparing quarterly and annual reports and dissemination of the reports to all stakeholders about the activities of the network.
  9. The National Coordinator of the APLHIV has the final authority to make decisions with respect to Y Chapter.
  10. Preparation and submission of technical and financial progress reports to Youth Lead and other donor partners.
  11. Act as a bridge between the Y Chapter, the donors and other agencies.