Haiti STEM Forum Defies Odds and Uplifts Girls
Young women and girls in Haiti are thriving despite a humanitarian crisis with the help of partner Marijàn, the AHF’s Girls Act program, and the dedicated members of the AHF Haiti team.
Initially scheduled for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, more than 200 girls, including several Girls Act members, overcame the country’s deteriorating security situation to attend the first AHF-supported Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Forum on Feb. 25 in Port-au-Prince.
“We did not hesitate to be part of this initiative because we believe that increasing access to STEM education can narrow the gender gap and provide girls with a unique skill set that will build their ability to be creative,” said AHF Haiti Girls Act Coordinator Wendy Adrien. “I truly believe we can empower girls with knowledge and confidence in STEM so they can become future problem-solvers and leaders.”
AHF created the Girls Act program in 2016 to keep young women and girls HIV-free (or on treatment if HIV-positive) in school and to prevent unplanned pregnancies.
The program has grown over the years and expanded to nearly 40 AHF country teams. It empowers young women and girls to take control of their health and futures while teaching them valuable life and business skills to help them succeed.
Learn more at GirlsAct.org.
Veronica Brisco: A Leading Voice for Those Living with HIV and AIDS
AHF Advocacy Mobilizer Veronica Brisco is an advocate in the U.S. who “Speaks Out Loud” about her HIV status. Although diagnosed in 1999, she determined in May 2011 to begin a personal journey to openly challenge the world to “Hear Me as I Speak Out Loud and Proud” in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
“I am a warrior of hope living with HIV. I want to share my journey to inspire and empower anyone touched by HIV that our fight is not over. I don’t just want to survive. I must thrive,” said Brisco. “Together we can break barriers and bring an end to the HIV epidemic. I want my journey to unite us all and inspire anyone living with HIV to push forward and never give up. Our strength unites all of us living with HIV – I am here to speak loudly, advocate, educate, and fight HIV.”
Brisco successfully advocated in the U.S. Congress and state legislatures on decisions affecting the 340B drug pricing program, the AIDS drug assistance program, and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, including promoting the HIV care continuum. She was also a fierce force at the 2012 AHF-organized March on Washington as part of the International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C. Click here to see the short film featuring Brisco and the march.
The U.S. 340B drug pricing program allows safety net healthcare providers—nonprofit clinics and hospitals—to stretch increasingly scarce resources to cover the cost of care, passing the savings on to their patients.
Click here to read the full story authored by AHF’s Angie Comer for the 340B Report.
Living Fully beyond HIV in Thailand
To commemorate Zero Discrimination Day, AHF Thailand proudly presented “Normal Is More,” a short video featuring three individuals who have overcome stigma and discrimination in a small town in Northeastern Thailand.
They have also overcome their own fear of living with HIV, proving to themselves and others that they can live, thrive, and be healthy.
Click here or on the video above to hear their stories.
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Experience the advocacy on the AHF Films website.