YMHAZ

13/05/2026

OVER 1,000+ APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FOR THE YMHAZ BOARD OF ADVISORY POSITIONS!

The Youth Movement for HIV/TB/SRHR Advocacy in Zambia (YMHAZ) would like to sincerely appreciate every individual who took time to apply for the 2026–2029 Board of Advisory positions.

We are truly inspired by the overwhelming response, passion, and commitment shown by young leaders, professionals, advocates, and persons with lived experience from across Zambia and beyond. Receiving over 1,000 applications is a strong reminder that together, we are building a powerful movement for health, rights, inclusion, and youth leadership.

The next YMHAZ Advisory Board will officially serve the organization from June 2026 to May 2029, helping guide our mission and strengthen our impact in advancing HIV, TB, SRHR, mental health, hepatitis, disability inclusion, and youth advocacy.

📌 Please note:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted beginning 28th May 2026 regarding the next steps and onboarding process.

To everyone who applied — thank you for believing in the vision of YMHAZ and for your willingness to serve. Your interest alone reflects the growing commitment toward creating a healthier, more inclusive, and youth-driven Zambia.

Together, we move forward. 💙

Ministry of Health Zambia
National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council Zambia
UNDP Zambia
UNAIDS Zambia
Unicef Zambia
World Hepatitis Alliance
People in Need Zambia

02/05/2026

YMHAZ at the Strategic HIV Prevention Dialogue

This week, YMHAZ joined UNAIDS Zambia and Ascend Futures Foundation for a key meeting focused on strengthening civil society engagement for equitable HIV prevention in Zambia.

The dialogue brought stakeholders together to discuss access and readiness for lenacapavir, and opportunities within the Global Fund Grant Cycle 8 (GC8), keeping community voices at the center of the HIV response.

During our contribution, we reflected on where we’ve come from. We celebrated moments like the ABC health messages, _Abstinence iliche!_, and how they shaped the lives of many young people. Today, with government and cooperating partners, we are seeing remarkable strides. The introduction of the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring (DVR), Cab-LA, and long-acting injectable PrEP (LEN) marks a huge milestone in expanding prevention choices.

We used this platform to push key asks from young people with lived experience for fast-track inclusion in GC8:

👉Scale up and allocate budget for the full range of HIV prevention options
👉Ensure meaningful youth participation of young people with lived experience at all levels
👉Utilize digital and social media platforms to reach and engage our peers and the underserved communities
👉Strengthen community-led data systems for effective accountability and policy reform

Let communities lead!

As we advance, centering young people with lived experience is not negotiable. It is essential for an effective, country-owned HIV response.

Thank you to UNAIDS Zambia and Ascend Futures Foundation for convening this space. Together with our partners, we keep pushing for choice, voice, and equity.

Ministry of Health Zambia
National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council Zambia
UNDP Zambia
Lusaka City Council
People in Need Zambia
HEP Initiative Zambia
AHF Zambia
World Hepatitis Alliance

02/05/2026

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to pass through the YMHAZ stand at the World Hepatitis Summit 2026 in Bangkok! Organized by World Hepatitis Alliance

From meaningful conversations to shared experiences, your presence truly made our exhibition space come alive. It was inspiring to connect with so many passionate individuals and partners who believe in the power of community-led and youth-driven responses.

A special thank you to those who expressed interest in supporting and collaborating with our work we see you, and we deeply appreciate your commitment.

🤝 We will be reaching out soon to continue these important conversations and explore how we can work together to strengthen impact on the ground.

We can safely say we represented Zambia very well with HEP Initiative Zambia

Ministry of Health Zambia
National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council Zambia
UNAIDS Zambia
UNDP Zambia
People in Need Zambia
Lusaka City Council
AHF Zambia
Ascend Futures Foundation

Together, we are building momentum towards “Elimination for everyone, everywhere, right now!”and it starts with all of us.

30/04/2026

We are Proud to be part of the World Hepatitis Summit 2026 in Bangkok! Organized by World Hepatitis Alliance

Today, our exhibition stand is officially open!

We are especially honored that our stand was officially blessed by the CEO and the President of the World Hepatitis Alliance a powerful recognition of the importance of youth led and community driven responses.

As a youth led movement, we are here to amplify community voices, share lived experiences, and showcase how young people are driving innovative, community-led responses to hepatitis and broader health challenges.

This year’s theme, “Elimination for everyone, everywhere, right now!”, reminds us that real progress happens when communities are at the center of solutions.

📍 If you’re attending the summit, come through to our stand this morning and:

👉Hear directly from young people with lived experience
👉Learn about our 1by10 Community Hub Initiative
👉Connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas on strengthening community-led responses

Your voice matters. Community voices matter. And together, we can accelerate progress toward hepatitis elimination.

Ministry of Health Zambia
National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council Zambia
UNAIDS Zambia
AHF Zambia
UNDP Zambiaa
People in Need Zambia
Lusaka City Council
Ascend Futures Foundation
HEP Initiative Zambia

20/04/2026

Ministry of Health Zambia calls for more social media engagement in amplifying young people’s voices with lived experience of HIV and TB

During the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring (DVR) Launch Meeting at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Honourable Hon. Dr Alex Katakwe- Solwezi East MP- Mushindamo District, Minister of Health, issued a clear call to action: scale up youth-led engagement across traditional and digital platforms.

After touring the service exhibition, the Minister stopped at theYMHAZ and Ascend Futures Foundation stand where we shared our mandate to amplify the lived experiences of young people affected by HIV, TB, hepatitis and SRHR challenges. We presented our organizational brief and strategic advocacy roadmap, highlighting how youth-led voices drive demand for prevention services.

In response, the Minister recognized our work and emphasized the need to see and hear more young people on radio, TV, and social media. He called for the reorganization of the _Health Matters_ TV program and urged media houses and cooperating partners to create dedicated slots for youth with lived experience to lead conversations.

At YMHAZ, we welcome this challenge. Social media is where young people are, and it’s a powerful tool to dismantle stigma, share accurate SRHR information, and link peers to services. As DVR and other prevention options expand, youth-led digital storytelling must be part of the rollout.

We stand ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Health, media, and partners to ensure young voices are not just included but leading the narrative online and offline.

National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council Zambia
UNAIDS Zambia
People in Need Zambia
Lusaka City Council
World Hepatitis Alliance
AHF Zambia
UNDP Zambia

17/04/2026

YMHAZ at the Launch of a New HIV Prevention Option in Zambia

Today, the Youth Movement for HIV, TB & SRHR Advocacy (YMHAZ) proudly participated in the official launch of the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring (DVR) for HIV prevention, led by Ministry of Health Zambia Ascend Futures Foundation and National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council Zambia at University Teaching Hospital- Adult Hospital.

This milestone marks a critical step forward in expanding HIV prevention choices, especially for young women and adolescent girls, who continue to face a disproportionate risk of HIV infection.

The introduction of the DVR means:
✨ More control and choice for young people over their sexual and reproductive health
✨ A discreet, long-acting prevention option that fits different lifestyles
✨ Progress toward person-centered HIV prevention services

Importantly, this platform also created an opportunity for YMHAZ to engage directly with the Ministry of Health, where we:
✔️ Shared the importance of meaningfully engaging young people with lived experience in the GC8 processes
✔️ Advocated for inclusive, youth-centered HIV prevention programming
✔️ Officially handed over our organizational profile and key action points to support strengthened collaboration

For young people, this is not just a new product it is power, dignity, and agency in making informed decisions about our health and futures.

Together, we must ensure that no young person is left behind in accessing life-saving prevention options.

💬 Nothing for young people without young people.

UNAIDS Zambia
World Hepatitis Alliance
People in Need Zambia
Lusaka City Council
Y+ Global
AHF Zambia

17/04/2026

It’s today 🎉🎉🎉🎉

Join us at University Teaching Hospital- Adult Hospital for the launch of PrEP ring

15/04/2026

We will be attending , proudly representing young people and their lived realities. Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of hepatitis B and HIV.

Learn more about the programme and register 👉🏼 worldhepatitissummit.org/2026-registration-ino

National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council Zambia
Ministry of Health Zambia
World Hepatitis Alliance

Chester Chimanda of YMHAZ will be joining us at in Bangkok, sharing insights on innovative community-led responses to viral hepatitis.

Not registered yet? There’s still time to join, share your community experiences, and exchange ideas with partners from across regions working to eliminate viral hepatitis.

Register NOW: https://worldhepatitissummit.org/2026-registration-fb/

15/04/2026

Zambia 🇿🇲 are you ready to put a ring on it 💐❤️

Get in touch with us to learn more about the PrEP Ring

Ministry of Health Zambia
UNAIDS Zambia
People in Need Zambia
National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council Zambia
GIZ Zambia

12/04/2026

Call for Applications – YMHAZ Board of Advisory Position

The Youth Movement for HIV/TB/SRHR Advocacy in Zambia (YMHAZ) is inviting passionate, committed, and skilled individuals to apply for positions on its Board and Advisory team, including

1.Vice Chairperson
2.Finance & Audit Advisor
3.Programs & Partnership Advisor
4.Legal and compliance advisor
5.Youth Engagement & Advocacy Advisor
6.Board Member representing youth with lived experience of HIV, TB, hepatitis, and disabilities.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a youth-led movement advancing health, rights, and wellbeing for young people in Zambia. If you are ready to influence change, strengthen systems, and amplify youth voices, apply now: https://ymhaz.wordpress.com/call-for-applications/

10/04/2026

Today, the Youth Movement for HIV/TB/SRHR Advocacy in Zambia (YMHAZ) participated in a powerful event at the University of Zambia (UNZA), supported by AUDA NEPAD , Medrap , Ministry of Health Zambia and UNAIDS Zambia. This engagement was a build-up to the 1st Continental Conference on Reproductive Health and Demographics Dividend held at the Intercontinental Hotel, where countries shared strides, challenges, and lessons in advancing comprehensive reproductive health.

At The University of Zambia -UNZA , we engaged students in candid conversations, distributed self-test kits, contraceptives, and condoms, and facilitated peer-to-peer discussions using the Truth Talk Facilitators Guide. A key takeaway: we need more university engagements to tackle myths, dispel misconceptions, and create clear pathways to services through structured peer-led models.

We also celebrated the Lusaka Commitment Statement, a bold declaration by countries to fight for reproductive health. MPs spoke courageously about readiness for dialogue, and we learned the importance of engaging religious and cultural leaders to combat stigma. Grateful for this collaboration here’s to pushing forward the Africa we want to see! -NEPAD "