Hope for Vulnerable Children Association

16/10/2026

💜 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐔𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐔𝐒!
Thank you HER Voice Fund for the opportunity.
At HOVUCA's baseline research briefing in Tonga on 3 October 2026, adolescent girls and young women were not simply present to listen. They had a message to deliver.

Through the AGYW Advocacy Brief, they called for more accessible and youth-friendly health services, accurate and practical health information, better menstrual-health support, reduced stigma, stronger community support and meaningful participation in decisions affecting their lives.

Their message was clear: young women need to be heard, respected and involved in shaping the services intended for them.

Meaningful participation goes beyond inviting AGYW to meetings. It means creating opportunities for them to express their priorities and ensuring their voices inform decisions and follow-up action.

𝐀𝐭 𝐇𝐎𝐕𝐔𝐂𝐀, 𝐰𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐆𝐘𝐖 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲.

16/10/2026

💜 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: 𝐇𝐎𝐕𝐔𝐂𝐀 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐒 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐀
HER Voice Fund

On Saturday, 3 October 2026, Hope for Vulnerable Children Association (HOVUCA) convened a briefing meeting in Tonga, West Region of Cameroon, to present findings from its baseline research on comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), HIV, tuberculosis and malaria services for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW).

The meeting provided an opportunity to share evidence, highlight the challenges AGYW face in accessing health information and services, and bring attention to the practical changes needed to improve their health and well-being.

A central part of the meeting was the presentation of the research findings and the reading of the AGYW Advocacy Brief, which placed young women's voices, priorities and calls for action at the centre of the discussion.

For HOVUCA, research is not an end in itself. Evidence must inform advocacy, strengthen collaboration and contribute to better services and outcomes for the communities we serve.

💜 FROM RESEARCH EVIDENCE TO ACTION: HOVUCA HOLDS BASELINE RESEARCH BRIEFING IN TONGA

On Saturday, 3 October 2026, Hope for Vulnerable Children Association (HOVUCA) convened a briefing meeting in Tonga, West Region of Cameroon, to present findings from its baseline research on comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), HIV, tuberculosis and malaria services for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW).

The meeting provided an opportunity to share evidence, highlight the challenges AGYW face in accessing health information and services, and bring attention to the practical changes needed to improve their health and well-being.

A central part of the meeting was the presentation of the research findings and the reading of the AGYW Advocacy Brief, which placed young women's voices, priorities and calls for action at the centre of the discussion.

For HOVUCA, research is not an end in itself. Evidence must inform advocacy, strengthen collaboration and contribute to better services and outcomes for the communities we serve.

𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬. 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.
Y+ Global The Global Fund ViiV Healthcare

27/08/2026

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐀𝐆𝐘𝐖 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐚!
As part of Community Conversation on AGYW Health, Rights and Well-being, participants worked in groups to reflect on the challenges affecting adolescent girls and young women and identify practical actions for change.

The group restitution brought together perspectives from AGYW, parents and women’s groups, traditional leaders, religious leaders, health workers and teachers, and local authorities.

Thanks to HER Voice Fund, the discussions highlighted the importance of:
- Strengthening access to SRHR information and services
- Supporting open communication between girls, parents and community leaders
- Promoting positive cultural and community norms
- Creating meaningful opportunities for AGYW participation and leadership
- Sustaining community support for girls beyond the project

When communities listen to girls, solutions become stronger. When girls are part of the conversation, change becomes possible.

13/08/2026

𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗙𝗟𝗢𝗪, 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗘 ! 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗜𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦
Learning to make a reusable sanitary pad is only the first step. Knowing how to use, wash, dry and care for it properly is just as important.

In this testimony, an AGYW from Tonga shares what she learned during the Our Flow, Our Pride workshop and explains how the reusable pad can be safely managed and used over time. HER Voice Fund

13/08/2026

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓: 𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋𝐒’ 𝐅𝐔𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄
A conversation becomes more powerful when it leads to commitment.

During the HER Voice Fund Community Conversation held in Tonga on 1 August 2026, community stakeholders and AGYW came together to discuss the health, rights, well-being and meaningful participation of adolescent girls and young women.

𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬.

Stakeholder signed a Community Commitment Charter, putting their signatures behind a shared commitment to continue supporting AGYW beyond the HER Voice Fund project.

The Charter reflects commitments to:
- 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀’ 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀
- 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵, 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴
- 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗔𝗚𝗬𝗪 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
- 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀
- 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁

The signatures on this Charter represent more than attendance—they represent ownership, responsibility and a willingness to continue the work.

As @ HER Voice Fund Voice Fund support moves towards the end of the project, the Charter provides a tangible reminder that support for AGYW must continue beyond the life of a grant.
Y+ Global

12/08/2026

10/08/2026

𝗔 𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗟-𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗟𝗬 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚
or many adolescent girls and young women, seeking health services can come with questions, uncertainty or fear of being judged.

The 𝐀𝐆𝐘𝐖 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐤 at the 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 in 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐚
is helping to change this experience by creating a space where young people can feel welcomed, informed and supported.

Through the HER Voice Fund , AGYW are gaining practical experience in engaging with health services while helping their peers understand where and how to access the care they need. Y+ Global The Global Fund

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐤!
- 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬.
- 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭.
- 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞.

09/08/2026

𝔹ℝ𝕀ℕ𝔾𝕀ℕ𝔾 ℍ𝔼𝔸𝕃𝕋ℍ 𝕊𝔼ℝ𝕍𝕀ℂ𝔼𝕊 ℂ𝕃𝕆𝕊𝔼ℝ 𝕋𝕆 𝔾𝕀ℝ𝕃𝕊
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻? Thanks to HER Voice Fund
Through the HER Voice Fund, AGYW in Tonga were placed at the Catholic Medical Centre to support the AGYW Health Desk—creating a welcoming space where girls can receive information, ask questions and be guided towards appropriate health services.

The activity is helping to strengthen the connection between AGYW and health facilities, while building girls' confidence to speak about their health and seek care when they need it.

- 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀.
- 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀.

Together, we are working towards a health system where adolescent girls feel welcomed, respected, informed and confident to seek care.

Together, we are working towards a health system where adolescent girls feel welcomed, respected, informed and confident to seek care. The Global Fund

09/08/2026

𝕊𝕌ℙℙ𝕆ℝ𝕋𝕀ℕ𝔾 𝔾𝕀ℝ𝕃𝕊 𝕀𝕊 𝔸 ℂ𝕆𝕄𝕄𝕌ℕ𝕀𝕋𝕐 ℝ𝔼𝕊ℙ𝕆ℕ𝕊𝕀𝔹𝕀𝕃𝕀𝕋𝕐
𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀' 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵, 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆, 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲. HER Voice Fund

At the HER Voice Fund Community Conversation in Tonga, five groups came together to reflect on how they can continue supporting adolescent girls and young women beyond the project:
- 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 & 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐬
- 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 & 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬
- 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬
- 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 & 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬
- 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬
Through dialogue and group discussions, stakeholders explored practical ways to strengthen support for girls, from improving access to health information and services, to building confidence, protecting girls, supporting education and creating opportunities for AGYW to participate in community decisions.

The conversation showed that lasting change happens when families, communities and institutions work together and when girls themselves are part of the solution. The Global Fund Y+ Global ViiV Healthcare ACT Ubumbano Frontline AIDS UNFPA Cameroon UNAIDSCameroon High Commission of Canada to Cameroon

05/08/2026

ℍ𝔼ℝ 𝕍𝕆𝕀ℂ𝔼𝕊 𝕄𝔸𝕋𝕋𝔼ℝ. ℍ𝔼ℝ 𝔼𝕏ℙ𝔼ℝ𝕀𝔼ℕℂ𝔼𝕊 𝕄𝔸𝕋𝕋𝔼ℝ. ℍ𝔼ℝ 𝔽𝕌𝕋𝕌ℝ𝔼 𝕄𝔸𝕋𝕋𝔼ℝ𝕊
At the Community Conversation in Tonga on 1 August 2026, adolescent girls and young women had the opportunity to share their experiences, express their views and engage directly on issues affecting their health, education, well-being and future. Thanks to HER Voice Fund

During the conversation meeting, their voices met the voices of parents, traditional leaders, faith leaders, health workers, teachers and local authorities, creating a space for dialogue, reflection and collective action.

Meaningful participation is more than inviting girls into a room. It means listening to them and ensuring their voices help shape decisions and actions. Y+ Global The Global Fund ViiV Healthcare ACT Ubumbano Frontline AIDS UNFPA Cameroon