Rights of Adolescents Living with HIV
The human rights of adolescents living with HIV are and must be at the core of all work to address their health and well-being. While all of the resources included in this toolkit are grounded in rights-based, positive youth development approaches, the resources in this section are specifically focused on key areas of concern with regard to the human rights, including sexual and reproductive rights, of adolescents living with HIV. This section includes policy statements and advocacy tools related to rights, guidance on key emerging human rights issues within the epidemic, and resources for engaging young leaders and youth advocates.
Each linked resource page includes a description of the tool, with a link to either an online version of the tool or a downloadable copy. Where resources are available in multiple languages, we have provided links.
For those interested in learning more about providing holistic support for adolescents living with HIV outside of a service center setting, we recommend exploring the resources available on the Peer Support and Positive Living pages of this toolkit.
Policy and Advocacy Briefs
Changing Laws that Discriminate
UNAIDS, 2019
A brief for understanding how discrimination is coded in laws and steps to take to change laws for advocates, implementers, funders, and policy makers.
Gender, Rights, and Diversity: Connecting the Pieces
Athena Network, 2015
A collection of 10 opportunities to strengthen women’s engagement with the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, drawn from a series of dialogues with women living with HIV conducted by the Athena Network and partners.
Make it Matter: 10 Key Advocacy Messages to Prevent HIV in Girls and Young Women
IPPF, 2007
An advocacy guide and compilation of data and talking points for rights-based HIV programs for young women.
Key Human Rights Issues
Consolidated Guideline on the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Women Living with HIV
WHO, 2017
A guideline for policy-makers and implementers plan, develop, and monitor programs and services that promote gender equality and human rights. Available in English, French, Portuguese, and Russian from WHO.
Protecting Children Affected by HIV/AIDS against Abuse, Exploitation, and Violence
AIDSTAR-One, 2011
A program and implementation guide for understanding the risks for abuse, exploitation and violence for adolescents living with HIV and implementing child protection within PEPFAR and other programs.
Supporting the Educational Needs of HIV-Positive Learners: A Desk-based Study
UNESCO and EduSector AIDS Response Trust, 2009
A review of relevant education-sector policies and relevant literature on access to education for HIV-positive children and adolescents.
Tools for Young Leaders and Youth Advocates
Empowering Young Women to Lead Change
UNFPA and World YWCA, 2006
Advocacy and leadership training manual and resource for young women advocates covering HIV/AIDS as well as economic justice, human rights, peace, self esteem and body image, sexual and reproductive health, and violence against women. Available in English, French, and Spanish from UNFPA.
Ending the the AIDS Epidemic for Adolescents, with Adolescents: A Practical Guide to Meaningfully Engage Adolescents in the AIDS Response
UNAIDS, 2016
Guidance for program designers, implementers, policy and decision-makers on how to meaningfully engage adolescents in the AIDS response and broader health programming.
GIYPA Roadmap: Supporting Young People Living with HIV to be Meaningfully Engaged in the HIV Response
Global Network of People Living with HIV, 2012
A handbook for young advocates to connect to and engage with the HIV response.
International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education: An Evidence-informed Approach
UNESCO, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNWomen, and WHO, 2018
Summary of the evidence and globally agreed definitions, standards, and key topics for comprehensive sexuality education. Available in English, Russian, Chinese, French, Spanish, Burmese, Thai, Portuguese, and Mongolian from UNESCO.
Respect My Rights, Respect My Dignity Module 3: Sexual and Reproductive Rights are Human Rights
Amnesty International, 2015
Training and facilitation manual focused on sexual and reproductive rights advocacy for adolescents and young people.
Step Up Link Up Speak Out: Mentoring Toolkit
Frontline AIDS, 2016
A toolkit including facilitator’s guide, mentors’ handbook, and powerpoint presentations focused on building youth advocacy skills. Available in English and French from Frontline AIDS.
Teaching Human Rights: Practical Activities for Primary and Secondary Schools
UN OHCHR, 2004
A curriculum of classroom lesson plans for learning about human rights.
Training Curriculum: A Tool for AYRH-Responsive Planning
Pathfinder International and Evidence 2 Action, 2020
A training manual for youth advocates to engage with national planning and policy processes related to sexual and reproductive health. Available in English and French.
#WhatWomenWant: A Toolkit for Putting Accountability into Action
Athena Network, 2018
This toolkit for advocates interested in accountability at all levels includes activities and modules on participatory action research, community engagement, policy change, and more.
Youth-led Organizations and SRHR: A Step by Step Guide to Creating Sustainable Youth-led Organizations working on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality and the Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, 2011
A guide covering strategic planning, fundraising, communications, organizational management, decision-making, and governance for youth advocates interested in forming their own organizations.
Youth Participation and Leadership: An Effective Tool in Combatting HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa
Student Partnership Worldwide, 2010
Guidance for engaging youth advocates in National AIDS Authorities, drawing on positive examples and best practices from East and Southern Africa.
Youth Participation Guide: Assessment, Planning, and Implementation
Family Health International, Advocates for Youth, and UNFPA, 2008
Training and implementation tools for mid- to senior-level managers and staff to increase meaningful youth participation in reproductive health and HIV/AIDS programming.
Types of Resources Key:
Training Tools: Facilitator and participant manuals and training activities designed to provide training in relevant topics for multiple audiences.
Handbooks/Job Aids: Guidance and tools for use “on-the-job” by health providers, peer educators, advocates, or other implementers. These tools are generally succinct and task-specific.
Global Standards: Minimum standards, best practices, and aspirational statements of core principles for the health and rights of adolescents living with HIV.
Implementation Guides: Programming principles and guidelines for developing services, outreach, or advocacy with and for adolescents living with HIV.
Curricula/Educational Tools: Educational guides, curricula documents, activities, and handbooks for conducting comprehensive sexuality education, peer education, or outreach.
Research/Best Practices: Case studies, systemic reviews, analysis of evidence, and recommendations for advancing the learning agenda on adolescents living with HIV.