Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO – Report:

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The International Day of the Girl was marked on 14 October in Goma by the BI-ESTHER Foundation, with support from MONUSCO’s Gender Section. Around fifty young girls from various local organizations took part in a workshop focused on their rights, their role in peacebuilding, and efforts to end gender-based violence.

In this province of eastern DRC, scarred by years of armed conflict, girls and young women remain among the most affected by violence. The Executive Director of the BI-ESTHER Foundation, Mignonne Zaina, painted a somber picture of their situation:

“Girls in North Kivu have suffered deeply during this war. Many have been raped, others manipulated, and some are still missing today.” She emphasized the purpose of the event: “Today was about reminding every girl that she has a day dedicated to her — a moment to focus on her rights and to stand up against sexual abuse and exploitation.”

Promoting peace and empowerment

The workshop encouraged participants to take an active role in building peace and driving change within their communities. “We brought together girls from different backgrounds and associations to talk about peace in conflict areas, their involvement in resolving conflicts, and the peace process itself. It’s time for girls to take the lead and say no to anything that harms them,” said Zaina.

MONUSCO’s Gender and Child Protection Sections also used the occasion to raise awareness about UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 2250, one calling for greater participation of women in peace and security, and the other recognizing the essential role of youth in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

Nathalie Koné Traoré from MONUSCO urged survivors to speak out: “To young girls who have experienced sexual violence, I say: break the silence and report your abusers. You have a vital role to play in restoring peace. Build your leadership, get involved, and make your voices heard!”

Inspiring determination and hope

Among the participants, determination and emotion were palpable. Faida Masika, one of the attendees, shared her resolve: “We learned a lot. From now on, we’ll not only fight sexual violence but also encourage others to start small businesses to challenge negative social attitudes.”.Held under the theme “Invest in the power of girls: our leadership, our future,” the event strengthened awareness of girls’ rights, potential, and role in shaping a better future for the region.

In a province marked by conflict and instability, the celebration offered young girls not only a platform to express themselves but also renewed hope for a more inclusive and equal future. Through education, leadership, advocacy, and economic empowerment, the girls of North Kivu are determined to become true agents of peace and change.

– on behalf of Mission de l’Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).

Source: APO – Report:

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The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development yesterday adopted its report recommending to the National Assembly (NA) that the process to appoint a Commissioner to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) be re-started, after a procedural issue halted the process.

In a letter to the Speaker, dated 22 January 2024, the Chairperson of the SAHRC informed the NA of a vacancy created within the SAHRC following the resignation of the Deputy Chairperson, Ms Fatima Chohan. Ms Chohan’s resignation came into effect from 1 April 2024.

On 30 October 2024, the committee met to discuss the nominations/applications it received. It agreed to a shortlist of eight candidates. The committee interviewed the candidates on 19 November 2024, said Committee Chairperson Mr Xola Nqola.

He went on to say that deliberations took place on 2 April 2025, during which a debate arose about whether committee members who had not participated in the interviews should be able to deliberate and vote on a preferred candidate. The committee resolved to defer its decision on the vacancy to receive procedural advice on the application of Rule 115 of the NA Rules.

According to Mr Nqola, during a further meeting on 28 May 2025, the committee found itself unable to agree on a candidate to recommend for the position of full-time commissioner and/or of the Deputy Chairperson.

“Voting was, therefore, deferred once again. “The committee recommends that the process of filling the vacancy begin afresh,” emphasised Mr Nqola.

– on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration halted its engagement with the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government this morning due to the absence of members of the provincial executive council (MECs), the Premier or any of their authorised representatives.

The committee has been conducting oversight in the province this week to assess access to and the quality of frontline public services, under the theme “Ensuring Good Governance through Human Resource Management Practices in the Public Service”. As part of its oversight visit, the provincial government and administration were scheduled to brief the committee on the prevalence of ghost workers in provincial departments and the impact on the public wage bill. However, the committee was met by senior officials, most of whom were in acting heads of departments positions, including the acting Director-General for the Office of the Premier.

Members stated that the absence of political leadership is not only contrary to protocol but would hinder the meeting’s progress and the substance of discussions. The committee noted that the Office of the Premier and the KZN Provincial Legislature were fully aware of the committee’s oversight visit, and at no time did the committee receive any indication that neither the Premier, nor his political delegate, nor MECs would attend the meeting.

After confirming the absence and consulting with committee members, the Chairperson of the committee, Mr Jan de Villiers, decided to halt the meeting. “It is standard parliamentary protocol and also in the interest of accountability and transparency that the MECs or their designated representatives are present for the committee to engage substantively on matters before it. Without their participation, the committee was unable to fulfil its mandate for the session,” said the Chairperson.

The committee regrets the inconvenience caused to members, stakeholders and members of the public. “We are committed to upholding the principles and values of democratic oversight,” said the Chairperson.

– on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO – Report:

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At 14, Eugène learned he was HIV-positive. The diagnosis turned his adolescence upside down, marked by doubt, fear, and stigma. “At that age, you don’t understand everything, but you feel different. I was afraid of how others would see me, afraid of the future,” he confides. Now 20, he is a student at the Faculty of Education and advocates for self-acceptance and equitable access to reproductive health services for young people living with HIV.

Eugène’s journey reflects the challenges faced by thousands of young people in Cameroon, where the fight against HIV remains a public health priority. In 2023, the country had around 490,500 people living with HIV, including 331,000 women. Young people aged 15 to 24 accounted for nearly 19% of new infections, with 2,228 cases recorded that year—a 49% drop compared to the 4,550 new infections reported in 2019. Despite the progress, challenges are many such as stigma, limited access to family planning services, and lack of youth-friendly information for HIV-positive adolescents.

In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) plays a key role in providing technical and strategic support to the government. It assists the Ministry of Health in developing and disseminating guidelines that integrate sexual and reproductive health, family planning, and HIV care, while also supporting local NGOs working directly with young people.

The national strategy focuses on promoting and protecting the rights of adolescents and young people to access sexual and reproductive health services, including contraception. It emphasizes integrating family planning services into HIV care sites, using age-specific approaches and combination prevention. In 2024, 52.7% of young people accessed modern family planning methods, up from 44.8% in 2023—a notable improvement, though still insufficient to fully meet needs.

According to Dr Joseph Fokam, Executive Secretary of the National AIDS Control Committee, “this strategy aims to equip young people with the tools they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health in a safe and inclusive environment”. The goal is that by 2030, 90% of adolescents aged 10 to 24 will have the skills to protect themselves from HIV and STIs, while benefiting from tailored services.

Eugène, who benefits from these services, shares his experience. “My perspective on family planning has changed a lot. I’m convinced that people living with HIV must do everything to avoid transmitting the virus. That’s why having an undetectable viral load and using condoms is so important”.

Many challenges remain. Stigma and discrimination hinder access to services. Young people fear judgment when seeking contraceptives. Drug interactions between antiretroviral therapies (ARVs) and contraceptives are a concern, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare services is limited by geographic barriers. To address these barriers, the government, with support from WHO and other technical and financial partners, including German cooperation, has since 2022 established over 187 Care, Resource, and Activity Units (USRAs) across all 10 regions, with flexible hours and trained staff. Community service points have also been created to expand service coverage, among other measures.

In this system, social workers play a key role. They are often the first point of contact for vulnerable youth, offering listening, guidance, and personalized support. Their presence helps build trust—essential for discussing sensitive topics like sexuality, contraception, or HIV.

Edwige Eyenga, a social worker at Essos Hospital Center, shares a powerful story: a 19-year-old girl, pressured by her boyfriend to have a child, came to her for advice. After an educational talk, she decided against it, continued her studies, and earned her degree. She avoided early pregnancy by practicing abstinence. Between 2020 and 2024, Ms. Eyenga supported around 200 young people. She emphasizes the need to strengthen the capacities of service providers, create youth-friendly spaces, and ensure confidentiality.

The future of the HIV response in Cameroon depends on synergy between institutional, community, and international actors. As a technical partner, WHO continues to strengthen policies, capacities, and services so that every young person living with HIV can live fully and confidently. “To be effective, services must be person-centered, respectful, confidential, and tailored to young people’s realities. This means training providers to better understand adolescents’ specific needs, reducing stigma-related barriers, and ensuring equitable access regardless of living environment. The approach must be holistic, inclusive, and sustainable,” says Dr Ngalame Alphonse Nyong, Programme Officer for Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent, and Elderly Health at WHO Cameroon.

Between 2017 and 2024, significant progress was made toward achieving UNAIDS’ 95-95-95 targets. Knowledge of HIV status rose from 55.6% to 92%, reflecting improved testing. Treatment access remained high, reaching 96% in 2024, while viral suppression increased from 80.1% to 93%, indicating better adherence and quality of care. These results reflect positive momentum in the fight against HIV. However, to sustain and build on these gains, services must be adapted to the needs of the population—especially young people.

Eugène, now 20, embodies this new generation of engaged youth. Thanks to the support he received, he regained confidence and can now envision a future. “I want to build a happy relationship, have children one day, and give them a future free of HIV. Today, I know it’s possible”.

– on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO – Report:

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Nigeria is accelerating its efforts to eradicate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Until recently, HIV prevention primarily depended on daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The introduction of long-acting injectable PrEP is expected to broaden access, provide more options, and help bridge prevention gaps — supporting both national and global HIV objectives.

With technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and funding from the Global Fund, the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), HIV implementing partners, and representatives of people living with or at substantial risk of HIV, conducted a PrEP landscape and site-readiness assessment in over 70 public health facilities across 10 states. The exercise reviewed existing delivery platforms, assessed readiness for implementing multiple PrEP options, and provided evidence to guide national planning.

“This assessment offers key insights on integrating injectable PrEP into public health services,” said Dr. Bashorun, NASCP Coordinator. “We aim to ensure HIV prevention tools serve diverse populations and meet national goals.”

Expanding Access and Choice

Daily oral PrEP has been available in Nigeria since 2016, but uptake varies. Adherence issues like pill fatigue, stigma, limited awareness, and inconsistent access have hindered wider use.

Newer PrEP options include injections that last two or six months, providing an alternative for those who prefer less frequent dosing and may overcome many barriers of daily oral use.

“My partner is HIV-positive, and I’m negative,” said Effiong (surname withheld), 52, from Ugep, Cross River State. “Taking pills daily is hard. If available and affordable, I’d prefer the injection — it would give me peace of mind.”

Hauwa, 28, from Gombe, added: “My work puts me at high risk of contracting HIV. If injectable PrEP can protect me, I’m ready to take it.”
WHO advises providing a variety of PrEP options tailored to individual preferences and risk profiles as part of comprehensive HIV prevention. Evidence indicates that long-acting injectable PrEP substantially lowers the risk of HIV acquisition and is particularly effective for those who struggle with daily adherence.

Strengthening Systems for Implementation

The 10-state assessment, supported by WHO, reviewed key service components such as availability, screening, supply chain, health worker capacity, and data management. The findings will inform:

•    Identification of barriers and enablers to equitable PrEP access.
•    Phased introduction of injectable PrEP in public health facilities.
•    Integration of PrEP within broader health service platforms.

Currently, PrEP in Nigeria targets populations at substantial risk of HIV infection, including:

•    Individuals in serodiscordant relationships (where one partner is HIV-positive and the other is negative).
•    People recently diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections or who have multiple sexual partners.
•    Pregnant and breastfeeding women in serodiscordant relationships or at high risk of infection, to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
•    Vulnerable and key populations, including sex workers and men who have sex with men.

Integration into routine services remains key to Nigeria’s prevention, enabling clients to access PrEP at familiar points like antenatal clinics, family planning units, and outreach programmes.

“We must ensure HIV prevention services are client-centred and accessible to everyone who needs them,” said Dr Bashorun. “Injectable PrEP adds an important option to help close prevention gaps.”

WHO Support and Next Steps:

WHO continues to provide technical support to Nigeria’s HIV programme, including capacity-building, policy development, and integration of PrEP into sexual and reproductive health services. The Organization also assists in developing national guidelines and monitoring systems to ensure safe, effective, and equitable roll-out.

“Embedding PrEP into existing health services — such as sexual and reproductive health clinics and community-based outreach — is essential for sustainability,” said Dr Oluwafunke Odunlade, WHO HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and STI Technical Officer in Nigeria. “Integration strengthens health systems and ensures prevention reaches people where they already seek care.”

– on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Nigeria.