The 2006 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS highlighted the commitment to universal access to HIV services but failed to address the unique needs of young people living with HIV (YPLHIV). A survey indicated significant barriers, such as inaccessible health services and discriminatory laws, impacting the ability of YPLHIV to receive care and support. In response, there is a call for comprehensive services, legal protections, and meaningful involvement of YPLHIV in decision-making to improve their support systems and rights.

1. YPLHIV input into the UNGASS Process and High Level Meeting Outcome Declaration

2. 2006 Political Declaration26348329In the 2006 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, countries committed to universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services to all those in need by 2010.

3. The 2006 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS contained 5 statements on children and young people but there was a clear failure to appreciate and respond to the unique needs of diverse groups of young people.

4. Despite the large number of young people infected by HIV and the vulnerability of this population, the needs of young people have often been overlooked in the development of national HIV/AIDS strategies. The facts areThere are 33 million people living with HIV in 2011There are approximately 10 million people aged 0-30 living with HIV in 2011Children and young people make up a critical third of all People living with HIV

5. YPLHIV Have Your Say Survey:Young People living with HIV from over 55 countries had their say and input into the development of key messages around priorities in their lives.Here are some of the quotes from the survey:

6. YPLHIV Have Your Say Survey:Universal AccessIn Mexico there are public policies for access to inputs of care and prevention of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections, however, when a young person seeking information or requesting input for prevention are not available in health services.There is treatment therapy, but I have to ride for it to the AIDS Centre 130 km every month. But actually, they don’t explain anything for me.Sometime the services are available but it is not easily accessible by youth. Several policy barriers also still become challenges in Indonesia i.e Law on Health which stated that SRH services only provided to marriage couple. How about youth? I do not seek help and I hide my status because of negative attitude of the public and the authorities

7. YPLHIV Have Your Say Survey:RightsThere is little work in promoting Human Rights and from the non-binding documents that my country has signed. At the same time, there is lack of supervision and monitoring to do the advocacy work to improve the legal situation of young people who live with HIV/AIDSNo legal or social services targeting YPLHIV, only the law for protection of the rights and duties of PLHIVYoung people especially those living positive are prone to abuse and due to poverty are not able to have legal backing and the social set up is not friendly to young people

8. YPLHIV Have Your Say Survey: LeadershipNo, nobody takes care of us, we have our own association with 120 members, lesbians and gays, nobodyRussianI am a member in PLHIV and Acting head of a non profit organizationI belong to a mutual support group for those living with HIVand I hope to grow every day moreI volunteer with one organisation where Iam in the youth wing and coordinator of projects related to HIV/AIDS but our work is limited because of lack of funds and lack of social services

9. YPLHIV NEED UNIVERSAL ACCESSUNIVERSAL ACCESS“My needs change as I grow. I need a health service that supports me as I move from childhood to adolescence into adulthood - services that also respond to the particular needs of young people most affected by HIV. However, Universal Access is not just about health services – every part of the government has a responsibility to make Universal Access a reality for me. For example, laws and policies requiring parental consent for testing, treatment and care work against Universal Access for all young people.”

10. YPLHIV NEED PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF RIGHTSRIGHTS“Do away with laws and policies that criminalise HIV transmission. Make laws and policies that promote and protect my rights. Make it your responsibility to entrench my rights to confidentiality, health, happiness, education, sexual and reproductive fulfilment, and participation. I am not under any increased responsibility to disclose. Scrap the laws and policy that make it compulsory for me to disclose my status. I will choose to disclose to whom I want, when I want, how I want.”

11. YPLHIV NEED MEANINGFUL INVOLVEMENT IN THE RESPONSE AND IN THEIR COMMUNITIESMEANINGFUL INVOLVEMENT“Don’t assume that I want to make a career out of my status. I may want to be involved as an advocate, a volunteer, or a mentor. I may not want to disclose my status but I can still be passionate and active about the issues that affect me and others like me. I also need to be a meaningful part of the larger community – gain a qualification, get a job, enjoy life with my friends and family. Let me choose my own path and destiny.”

12. YPLHIV NEED OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP AS LEADERS AND ADVOCATESLEADERSHIP“I want to be active in the response and have a space at your decision-making table. Flying me to a high-level meeting on the other side of the world for a meeting does not develop my leadership skills or result in any benefit for my life and my community. I need skills, qualifications and opportunities to become a leader and the opportunity to pass on my knowledge to others like me when I am an adult. Ask me why I want to get involved and what I hope to accomplish, and find me mentors. Don’t burn me out.”

13. YPLHIV NEED SPACES FOR SAFE DISCLOSURE“Three decades into the response, why is it that I still don’t feel safe to disclose my HIV status? Here’s what I need you to understand: I want to feel empowered to disclose my status not only for my own well-being but also for my peers. Providing a conducive environment for safe disclosure in my school and my community means that more young people will talk about HIV, more young people will test and more young people will get the support they need. “SAFE DISCLOSURE

14. The UN High Level Meeting and Outcome DeclarationWe recognise the things we are asking for are important for all People Living with HIVWe understand that the review process covers a wide range of important issuesWe believe that the review process needs to recognise the particular needs of YPLHIV