Where Next for Children and Adolescents Affected by HIV?
GNP+ – the Global Network of People Living with HIV, is a valued member of the Coalition for Children Affected by AIDS. GNP+ is a network for people living with HIV, run by people living with HIV. They use the power of evidence-based advocacy and challenge governments and global leaders to improve access to quality HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services. As the Coalition reflects on 200+ days since the U.S. freeze on foreign aid, GNP+ talks about what they are doing considering the funding changes to end AIDS for children and adolescents affected by HIV.
Annah Sango, Former Advocacy Officer for GNP+ and long-term advocate for people living with HIV says, “I have firsthand experience of seeing what the impact of reduced funding can have. In Harare, Zimbabwe I have led a community group of parents and caregivers known as ‘Mama and Papa Bears’ and I know how important it is to continue to advocate for adolescent girls and young women living with HIV, through meaningful engagement and representation.”
Now, 200+ days since it was announced that there would be a freeze on foreign aid, GNP+ are working hard to ensure that their work continues, the focus of which is on motivating local PLHIV (People Living with HIV led advocacy for global advocacy to improve access to treatment and quality of life of all PLHIV. GNP+ aims to continue to do this through supporting responsive and inclusive policies, including for children and adolescents living with HIV.
A Continuing Commitment
GNP+ recently participated in an important discussion at the World Health Organisation side event on strengthening the global ecosystem for pediatric medicines. This event brought together country leaders and global health partners to explore how to enhance the ecosystem supporting the development, approval, and uptake of pediatric medicines—with a focus on leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and impact-driven action. Annah said, “GNP+ had the opportunity to be part of this critical discussion that underscored the urgent need for strengthened leadership, collaboration, and innovation, to ensure equitable access to safe and effective treatments for children worldwide.”
The team at GNP+ have also been advocating for and with children and adolescents at the July 2025 International AIDS Society Science Conference in Kigali, Rwanda. Annah’s colleague, Coalition member and GNP+ Co-Executive Director Florence Riako Anam has been participating in dynamic, community-led discussions that put people living with HIV at the heart of current and future science and policy. With shrinking global funding, the HIV response has never needed more support, but Florence highlights the opportunities available. She said, “It’s a challenging time, but I see it as an opportunity. We’ve built strong infrastructure thanks to past investments. Now it’s time for our governments to step up.”
What is next for children and adolescents?
GNP+ believes that strengthening partnerships across sectors can accelerate progress toward health equity and improve health outcomes for children and youth. GNP+ remains committed to advocating for a rights-based approach to pediatric healthcare within the global health agenda. This comes as the World Health Organisation released new guidelines on 14 July on the use of injectable lenacapavir (LEN) for HIV prevention. A landmark policy action that could help reshape the global HIV response.
To further demonstrate their commitment to their work to end AIDS and keep people alive, GNP+ recently convened over 80 PLHIV network leaders from across the world in Nairobi at the PLHIV Leadership Summit. The aim; to strengthen local advocacy for global advocacy towards secured access to treatment and quality of life for all people living with and impacted by HIV. The PLHIV network came together in solidarity to rebuild the HIV movement in response to the shifting global priorities that have cut funding to the sector – at a time when progress had also stagnated.
GNP+’ determination to ensure that individuals within communities are not forgotten as the HIV community continues to fight for an AIDS-free generation is evident. Florence said, “We now know we face new challenges. By working with networks such as the Coalition for Children Affected by AIDS, participating in knowledge sharing, learning and increased collaboration between governments, advocates and others, we can harness the progress we have already made to ensure children and adolescents get the treatment they need to end AIDS for generations to come.
Find out more about becoming a member of the Coalition for Children Affected by AIDS. Contact us here.
–
Read more about the PLHIV Leadership Summit here.
Read more about GNP+’ role at the IAS Conference here.
Read the WHO guidelines on the injectable LEN here.