INTRODUCTION

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”.