Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic
Control (EpiC) project,
a global initiative funded by PEPFAR and USAID and led by FHI 360, engaged youth leaders and influencers in a fun and interactive
learning experience on HIV, sexual pleasure, and sexual health promotion
through this year’s Young Influencers Convention.
The convention
was held in early August at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City, as part of the
upskilling activities under EpiC’s Free to Be YOUTH HUB. The goal of the
two-day convention was to develop and sustain collaboration between advocates
and online influencers in promoting sexual health in various social media
platforms. “When it
comes to HIV education and counseling among young people, fear and risk-based
messaging should not be the only option,” said EpiC Philippines Project
Director Teresita Bagasao. “Sex positive and pleasure-based messaging,
especially when discussing HIV, increases one’s confidence in their sexual
health, thereby encouraging people to access services for their personal
protection.”
Esteemed
guest speakers, including Ateneo Gender Hub’s Safe Spaces Coordinator and drag
queen Clea Torres de La Torre, “Marahuyo Project” star and queer artist Adrian
Lindayag, and prominent social media influencers Mathilda Airlines, Ice Neo,
Jamie Casino, and Lorenz Olleres, discussed sexual pleasure in relation to HIV
management and sexual health promotion. The experiences of people who are on Pre-Exposure
Prophy and people living with HIV were particularly explored during the series
of talk shows with the advocates and influencers. The Department of Health also
attended to discuss health communication strategies, including the ramping up
of the Undetectable Equals Undetectable campaign in the country. “Pleasure
matters because it empowers. Pleasure is power,” shared Adrian Lindayag. “Sana
patuloy nating i-educate ang mga tao tungkol sa sexual health lalo na ang mga
kabataan na nangangailangan ng protection. (Hopefully, we will continue
educating people, especially the youth who need protection). “They will be
protected with the right information so let’snot stop educating people,” he
added. Budding influencers who participated in the convention were also encouraged
to produce content inspired by their personal insights and learnings.
Launched in
2023 by EpiC, the Free to Be YOUTH HUB is a two-phased knowledge sharing and
mentoring program for youth leaders, preparing them to become champions in the
HIV response. The first
phase was dedicated to educating youth leaders on HIV innovations, including
self-testing, PrEP, and ‘U=U’ or ‘Undetectable equals Untransmittable.’ The
second phase, on the other hand, focused on enhancing the skills of the youth
leaders on project development, leadership, advocacy, and digital influencing. Through
the 40 young leaders engaged in the youth hub, they are currently implementing
12 innovative projects that integrate sexual pleasure to destigmatize HIV;
thereby increasing young people’s access to prevention, testing, and treatment
services. “More
than ever, the platforms and competencies of young people on social media use
should be optimized for HIV education and service access. Young influencers
should be empowered and supported to transform their social media reach into better
health outcomes in their generation,” Teresita Bagasao stressed. The
Philippines has the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the Western Pacific. The
latest national data shows that almost a third of the number of newly diagnosed
HIV cases are among 15-24 years old. Free to YOUTH HUB and other initiatives
led by the youth expands awareness and access to prevention, testing, and
treatment services for young people. For more
information on Free To Be YOUTH HUB and the Free To Be U! campaign, visit Free To
Be U!’s Facebook page. For free HIV services, book your
health appointments at QuickRes.org/press.
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