Publications on Young Key Populations

Get an overview of the HIV/AIDS situation for Young Key Populations in the Asia-Pacific region.

The annual report provides a glimpse into some of the key activities and projects and highlights Youth LEAD’s contribution to the regional HIV response. The annual report also explores how Youth LEAD’s efforts align with other global strategies, but more importantly, how the activities align with Youth LEAD’s strategic priorities.

This report describes the HIV epidemic among young people from key populations in the region, takes stock of HIV programmes for such people, and pinpoints the priority actions that will speed up progress towards ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat in the region.

The programming guidelines aims to support organizations to implement programmes that address the realities and rights of YKP in Asia Pacific. The guidance provided herein is grounded in the experiences of a diversity of YKP and aims to introduce creativity, critical thinking and inspiration to the sector.

2020 has been an unprecedented year for all Youth LEADers to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing HIV epidemic. During this challenging time, young key population-led organizations in the Asia-Pacific have shown resilience to support communities. They have been at the forefront of the HIV response to implement innovative solutions that ensure the continuity of HIV services.

Two out of every seven new HIV infections globally in 2019 were among young people (15–24 years). Additional efforts need to be made to address the structural factors that increase the vulnerability of adolescent girls, young women and young key populations and their risk of acquiring HIV, such as gender inequalities, gender-based violence, poverty, stigma and discrimination, and insufficient implementation of comprehensive sexuality education programmes.

The HLM Youth Guide has been developed by The PACT and UNAIDS to provide young people with information and guidance on what is and how to engage in the High-Level Meeting on HIV & AIDS that will take place from 8-10 June at the United Nations General Assembly. The intended audience of this Guide are young activists and youth-led organizations working on HIV and SRHR at all levels of the response, especially those key populations most affected by HIV.

Sexual health services for the YKPs are key programs that contribute to reducing the increased risks of STI and HIV infection, including not only HIV/ STIs services, but also harm reduction, mental health and specialized services for each population. It is essential to understand the characteristics of the YKPs in order to promote their access to sexual health services. The study, with the sample of 65 people who self-identified as YKP, investigated their views on sexual health and the factors influencing their access to and use of sexual health services. The average age of the participants is 20.5 years old. The age at which they initiated sexual experiences varies widely. Most participants had their first sexual intercourse between the ages of 18 and 20, with the earliest at 14 years old.

This study generated several key findings. Based on the success of YKP's programme conducted in Bandung, Inti Muda* and Lolipop partners successfully proposed four activities for YKPs under the Global Fund grant. Those activities are peer educator training, IEC media workshop, training youth-friendly services for services provider, and quarterly coordination meeting implemented in Denpasar, Surabaya, and West Jakarta.

Studies, research and assessment for knowledge generation and evidence-based advocacy have been one of the strengths of the project. It has produced the regional manual for capacity development of young key populations, regional guidance note for CCM, principle recipients to effectively integrate the issues of young key populations in implementation and documentation of the best practice on engagement. Global Fund has recently accomplished its replenishment target of 12.9 b USD and countries have begun to prepare for the concept note development, which is now termed as Funding Request.