Panashe Mhingwa

What inspires you to work in the HIV field?

Growing up, I witnessed the impact of HIV on loved ones and friends. I am in a serodiscordant relationship with my partner, who is living with HIV, and I have seen firsthand the challenges experienced by people living with HIV. In 2015, my mother’s sister passed away because of advanced HIV disease. These experiences sparked my passion for advocating for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), HIV and mental health. I am currently the Provincial Facilitator for the Young People’s Network, convened by the Zimbabwe National AIDS Council. My work contributes to good health and well-being (SDG 3), quality education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5) and reduced inequalities (SDG 10).

My work focuses on promoting access to SRHR, HIV and mental health services among adolescents, young girls and women, especially in Zimbabwe. I am passionate about creating safe spaces for young people, particularly girls and women, to discuss SRHR issues, stigma and discrimination. The aim is to increase their access to essential health services and contribute to national health initiatives through stakeholder engagement, working with government agencies, NGOs and international organizations to drive the HIV response and inform programmes with best strategies that fit and address the needs of young people to ensure universal health coverage and youth-friendly policies and services.

What are your goals as an IAS change maker?

I see young people empowered and informed with skills and opportunities to act on the SDGs, particularly in promoting health and well-being. Moreover, I envision a world where young people are at the forefront of driving change and implementing solutions to end the HIV pandemic.

As an advocate for SRHR, I seek to achieve the following: increased young people representation; greater parliamentary influence; and progressive policy development in health through amplifying young people's voices.