ICASA 2025 Day 6: Youth Special Session
8 December 2025
ICASA 2025 Day 6: Youth Special Session
Gloria
ICASA News
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Empowering Young Voices and Combating Stigmatization in the HIV Response
Day 6 of ICASA 2025 opened with a dynamic Youth Special Session, bringing critical conversations to the forefront on the experiences of young people living with HIV, stigmatization, and the transformative role of digital advocacy. The session featured Dr. Rafiatou Soro from Burkina Faso and Mr. Shawn Dalmas, ICASA International Youth Programs Coordinator, who shared insights on barriers to care and the power of youth-led change.
Understanding and Addressing Stigmatization
Dr. Soro highlighted stigmatization as a major obstacle to healthcare access, particularly for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. She explained that stigma manifests in multiple forms:
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Dr. Soro emphasized that the consequences are severe, leading to social isolation, mental health challenges, and poor health outcomes. She called for education and awareness campaigns, inclusive policies, training for healthcare providers, and community engagement to create safe, supportive environments for individuals living with HIV.
Harnessing Digital Tools for Advocacy
Mr. Dalmas took the stage to showcase how digital platforms are revolutionizing youth advocacy and social change across Africa. Highlighting issues like gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide, he emphasized that digital tools allow young people to amplify their voices, mobilize communities, and demand accountability from leaders.
He identified three core strengths of digital advocacy:
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Mr. Dalmas cited examples like South Africa’s Purple Campaign, illustrating the power of social media to mobilize people and spark change. He also highlighted how artificial intelligence enhances advocacy by targeting messages effectively, enabling resource mobilization, crowdfunding, and broader visibility.
A Path Towards Inclusive Care and Youth Empowerment
The session concluded with a clear message: addressing stigmatization and embracing digital advocacy are intertwined steps toward a more inclusive, equitable society. By combining Dr. Soro’s call to reduce stigma with Mr. Dalmas’s vision of digital empowerment, young people are equipped to break barriers to healthcare, amplify voices, and lead Africa’s HIV response with courage, creativity, and authenticity.
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