UPROOT Scorecard-An Initiative By Our Youth Chapter Network
Project Description
The world is home to more young people (ages 15-24 years old) now than at any other time in history. Young people are the most effective engine for social change. To end AIDS by 2030 requires that the root causes that put young people at risk of new HIV infections, poor health outcomes and AIDS-related deaths, including gender-related, socioeconomic and other inequalities, limited access to information, discrimination, exclusion and violence, are effectively addressed. In addition, support for youth participation in decision-making spaces must shift from tokenism to meaningful youth engagement. Youth participation in community responses to HIV and overall health responses need to be adequately resourced. Moreover, the sustainability must be acknowledged, nurtured of the HIV response highly depends on our capacity to reach the most marginalized, including young people, and to address their specific needs. The effectiveness of programs and interventions targeting young people can only be ensured with the full participation of young people in their design, monitoring and implementation.
The Youth Chapter, established by APLHIV in 2015 is hosted by APLHIV, is a registered entity dedicated to serving young people living with HIV (YPLHIV), youth at risk of HIV and other diseases and young key populations in Pakistan. (Please refer to our networks for more details).
#UPROOT Scorecard is a community-led monitoring tool that is facilitated and implemented by young people for young people. This tool gathers qualitative and quantitative data through a consensus process with young people in all their diversity to measure progress in the HIV response for youth. In Pakistan, the #UPROOT Scorecard is implemented by the Youth Chapter in collaboration with APLHIV, with financial support from The PACT and technical support from UNAIDS country and global offices. #UPROOT
allows young people to thoroughly review gaps, challenges and opportunities to address the needs of young people in all their diversity in their own country’s HIV response. As part of the scorecard process, young people from diverse backgrounds are tasked to score the country’s response to the following five areas: law and policies, participation, national strategies, leadership and partnerships. As a result, the data collected can be used to develop new policies and address overarching issues that young people face daily.
To complete the rollout of the #UPROOT Scorecard 14 community based and civil society organizations were taken on board, including national networks, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, along with Sub-Recipients of the Global Fund Grant and two Principal Recipients (Nai Zindagi and UNDP). In total, 255 young PLHIV and young key populations were involved in this collaborative effort, allowing us to gather vital insights to effectively address the needs of young people in the HIV response. The activity was completed by young leaders from Youth Chapter with support and supervision from APLHIV.
The project also included capacity building for young people. The training aimed to enhance the understanding of Young PLHIV and Young KPs regarding Global Fund processes, while building their capacity to analyze grant implementation and equipping them with essential advocacy skills to effectively promote their rights and engage in policymaking. Over 200 youths were capacitated.
Under the project the Youth Chapter Executive Board was officially formed with representation of youth from across Pakistan. Capacity building training for Executive Board members of Youth Chapter was carried out to create a dynamic leadership team. These trainings aimed to enhance their capacity, deepen their understanding of organizational bylaws, and strengthen their engagement with stakeholders. With these essential skills, the board members are equipped to lead initiatives and effectively represent young people’s voices.
A dedicated platform was established for young and adolescent girls, including those living with HIV and key populations. This initiative aims to amplify their voices, safeguard their health rights, and provide essential training. The goal of this platform is to ensure every young girl has the resources and knowledge to advocate for her health and rights.
Project Description
The world is home to more young people (ages 15-24 years old) now than at any other time in history. Young people are the most effective engine for social change. To end AIDS by 2030 requires that the root causes that put young people at risk of new HIV infections, poor health outcomes and AIDS-related deaths, including gender-related, socioeconomic and other inequalities, limited access to information, discrimination, exclusion and violence, are effectively addressed. In addition, support for youth participation in decision-making spaces must shift from tokenism to meaningful youth engagement. Youth participation in community responses to HIV and overall health responses need to be adequately resourced. Moreover, the sustainability must be acknowledged, nurtured of the HIV response highly depends on our capacity to reach the most marginalized, including young people, and to address their specific needs. The effectiveness of programs and interventions targeting young people can only be ensured with the full participation of young people in their design, monitoring and implementation.
The Youth Chapter, established by APLHIV in 2015 is hosted by APLHIV, is a registered entity dedicated to serving young people living with HIV (YPLHIV), youth at risk of HIV and other diseases and young key populations in Pakistan. (Please refer to our networks for more details).
#UPROOT Scorecard is a community-led monitoring tool that is facilitated and implemented by young people for young people. This tool gathers qualitative and quantitative data through a consensus process with young people in all their diversity to measure progress in the HIV response for youth. In Pakistan, the #UPROOT Scorecard is implemented by the Youth Chapter in collaboration with APLHIV, with financial support from The PACT and technical support from UNAIDS country and global offices. #UPROOT
allows young people to thoroughly review gaps, challenges and opportunities to address the needs of young people in all their diversity in their own country’s HIV response. As part of the scorecard process, young people from diverse backgrounds are tasked to score the country’s response to the following five areas: law and policies, participation, national strategies, leadership and partnerships. As a result, the data collected can be used to develop new policies and address overarching issues that young people face daily.
To complete the rollout of the #UPROOT Scorecard 14 community based and civil society organizations were taken on board, including national networks, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, along with Sub-Recipients of the Global Fund Grant and two Principal Recipients (Nai Zindagi and UNDP). In total, 255 young PLHIV and young key populations were involved in this collaborative effort, allowing us to gather vital insights to effectively address the needs of young people in the HIV response. The activity was completed by young leaders from Youth Chapter with support and supervision from APLHIV.
The project also included capacity building for young people. The training aimed to enhance the understanding of Young PLHIV and Young KPs regarding Global Fund processes, while building their capacity to analyze grant implementation and equipping them with essential advocacy skills to effectively promote their rights and engage in policymaking. Over 200 youths were capacitated.
Under the project the Youth Chapter Executive Board was officially formed with representation of youth from across Pakistan. Capacity building training for Executive Board members of Youth Chapter was carried out to create a dynamic leadership team. These trainings aimed to enhance their capacity, deepen their understanding of organizational bylaws, and strengthen their engagement with stakeholders. With these essential skills, the board members are equipped to lead initiatives and effectively represent young people’s voices.
A dedicated platform was established for young and adolescent girls, including those living with HIV and key populations. This initiative aims to amplify their voices, safeguard their health rights, and provide essential training. The goal of this platform is to ensure every young girl has the resources and knowledge to advocate for her health and rights.