Youth Advocacy Council Pakistan in collaboration with Gilead Sciences, and relevant provincial rights-based organizations and academic partners, are conducting a series of Training of for 1000 young people and Transgender Communities on ‘Ending Transphobic Stigma, Gender Discrimination and Prevention of HIV/AIDS, and STI across Peshawar, Swat and Lahore districts of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and Punjab.
The recent one was held in Peshawar later this month which included participants from relevant rights-based line departments, civil society, trans-activists, academic institutions including University of Peshawar, CECOS and Iqra National University and thematic experts of YAC Pakistan as Master Trainers. The training will help young students and transgender communities to address HIV/AIDS endemic, ending transphobic stigma and discrimination within their respective spheres of influence and society. The participants were also briefed about Transhelp app; an award winning innovative digital platform designed to help and support Transgenders and youth to prevent HIV/AIDS, Sexually transmitted diseases and empower TGPs, PLWHA and Youth to fight against Transphobia and gender discrimination.
Talking on the event, the transgender participants from Peshawar appreciated the YAC team for organizing the training. The CEO of the YAC Pakistan Mr. Mohsin Khan said that “Reducing stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and particularly against gender and sexual minorities is essential to continued progress in the HIV response. Without effectively reaching these marginalized groups, the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets and other global development goals will be impossible to achieve.” The YAC Pakistan also established Student’s led Ambassador Program with its partner academic institutions to create awareness on TGP rights, HIV prevention and supporting TGPs.