On 4 September, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum for Africa, WACI Health, GFAN Africa, the Global Fund and partners in South Africa hosted young women from South Africa who and had conversations with experts on empowering young women. Young women must overcome barriers that hold them back and increase their vulnerability to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. Only when they are empowered can they #stepupthefight so that we #getbackontrack.

In the format of panel discussions and a world café, discussants beamed the spotlight on the status of young women and HIV in Africa, stepping up opportunities for young women at the work place and increasing young women’s access to business, work, and education opportunities.

There were discussions on the vulnerabilities of young women towards HIV; the grim situation in the years when there was no treatment, and the progress made so far, especially with support from the Global Fund. Investments by the Global Fund have saved 27 million lives since 2002. HIV treatment is available for free, and there are innovative collaborations with the private sector to ensure access to treatment. Linda Mafu the Head of Civil Society and Political Advocacy at the Global Fund noted “days are gone when meetings started with candle lit moments of silence because a person we knew had died of AIDS”. Representatives of SANAC and UNAIDS participating in the meeting were urged to ensure that young women are always at the table where decisions on HIV touching on them are made.

Economic empowerment of young women – For young women who need to find their way to into the work place, there were discussions on how to stand out as employees “you must have very strong work ethics, have realistic expectations, ensure social media decorum and prove your competence daily” advised Ncumisa Khoali, Human Resources and Administration Manager at TrakerSA

Young women interested in being entrepreneurs were advised that they must be seek financial and non-financial support – mental and spiritual support, physical support and to avoid short cuts. At the forum, the young women got opportunities for psycho social support, business support, employment and training on personal development.

WACI Health and GFAN Africa were in Yokohama on 28^th August on the sidelines of TICAD 7 for a meeting on “Leveraging the SDGs to deliver Universal Health Coverage for Women and girls in East Africa: Lessons from the Communities” the meeting was co-hosted with the SDGs Kenya Forum and Eastern Africa national networks of AIDS and health service organizations (EANNASO) in collaboration with AMREF Health Africa and Kenya Aids NGO Consortium (KANCO).

At the meeting, participants shared experiences on mobilization and advocacy towards a successful 6^th replenishment of the Global Fund, sexual & reproductive health rights, implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and review and the follow up of all these at national and regional levels. Further, participants presented case studies of how civil society organizations are working to drive the delivery of Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) in their communities. Finally, they showcased models of how Civil Society Organizations are leading on influencing the policy and programmatic agenda of UHC globally, regionally and nationally.

CSOs present took the opportunity to build momentum for a strong declaration at the upcoming high level meeting on UHC. This is in consideration of the contribution of the declaration towards achieving the SDGs and the call to leave no one behind. The High Level Meeting will take place on 24^th September in New York.

by Global Funds Advocates Network

On 23 July in Nairobi, Kenya, WACI Health and KANCO hosted CSOs from Kenya who were joined by GFAN Africarepresentatives from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Rwanda, and Tanzania for a candid discussion on the 6^thReplenishment of the Global Fund and Domestic Resources for Health. The event – a panel discussion by representatives of communities, youth, civil society, and embassy of France, the Global Fund and Government discussed Kenya’s health financing status and the ways in which  the Global Fund is a worthwhile investment.

There was emphasis on the need for a successful 6^th Replenishment of the Global Fund because has a strong record of achieving effective and accountable results with donor funding.

In addition, a successful Replenishment will contribute to:

1. Reduce mortality from HIV, TB and malaria;
2. Saving millions of lives;
3. Reduce and avert new infections.

Inaction will result in the loss of millions of lives, millions of new infections, and a worldwide backslide on gains made against these three epidemics to date.

Participants thanked France for its leadership in hosting the 6^thReplenishment Conference, scheduled for 9 October 2019 in Lyon, France, and for calling on other donors to step up their fight in order to ensure a successful Replenishment.

France has been a major investor in the Global Fund. “Increasing funding for the replenishment of the Global Fund will move us to a better place in healthcare. Taxpayers in France, sacrifice for others to improve their lives through better health” said Dr Pierre Bello, Health Advisor, Embassy of France in Kenya. He added that Kenya has a strong political will for a successful UHC and must take advantage of the external funding opportunities to be able to build stronger and more stable healthcare systems.

Through the support of the Global Fund, Kenya has improved its healthcare systems, and has increased its disease interventions and programs for the most vulnerable populations. Support to Kenya reaches those who need it most – communities. Grace Adego, a community health volunteer and a panelist at this event, expressed her gratitude for the free ARVs she receives.

Regina Ombam, Deputy Director, HIV Investments National AIDS Control Council, noted that as a lower-middle income country, Kenya’s donor financing is gradually dwindling. As such, there is need for increased allocation of domestic resources for health to ensure that existing funding gaps do not grow. She also noted that the Government of Kenya is increasing health financing and giving healthcare more attention and focus.

Ms Ombam challenged those present:

• To think of the possibility of a replenishment conference for Kenya with Kenya government and stakeholders to discuss the health of Kenyans and how to fund it in future;
• That civil society should keep government in check more vigorously;
• Civil society voices are needed to end corruption in public finance management systems and to push for more resources;
• There should be emphasis on integration within Government to stop wastage while implementing healthcare interventions;
• The private sector should play a bigger role in complementing healthcare financing;
•  The Government should consider entering into social contracts with major funders of health programs;
• There should be focus on disease prevention.

Ms Fahe Kerubo, a young girl, noted that while HIV interventions are commendable, infections among adolescent girls and young women remain unacceptably high. Increased funding for health should address this challenge, and Kenya’s youth must be at the center of the HIV response.

There was a rallying call for additional resources for healthcare from donors, the Government of Kenya, and other implementing countries. Increased focus on healthcare will lead to a successful UHC and progress towards SDG3 goals for the health and wellbeing of all.