The Family Planning News Network (FPNN) is proud to support four FPNN Community Reporters in covering the key sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) takeaways from the fifth HIV Research for Prevention Conference (HIVR4P) in Lima, Peru.

These reporters represent different countries and populations in Latin America, each bringing unique and important perspectives to the conversation. Learn more about their passions and hopes for what they will cover during the week below.

Luisa Fernanda Orozco Valencia

Journalist, storyteller, and podcaster

At this year’s HIVR4P, I hope to tell stories about recent findings on HIV, from new successful tests for remissions to how to report on HIV without stigmatizing those who are positive.

I also hope to cover topics specifically related to gender, such as how HIV particularly affects women.

Additionally, I would like to address major advancements in HIV prevention through interviews with scientists and key figures in the field.

Since the beginning of my professional career, I have always focused on telling stories that reflect how issues in the fields of health and environment affect women, minors, and the LGBTIQ+ community in particular. I hope the stories I find at HIVR4P will capture the perspectives of these groups in relation to the advances being made in HIV prevention.

My aim is also to explain scientifically complex topics in a way that is clear for all viewers and readers. In fact, the content we create during this event can be adapted for various El Espectador formats focused on gender and health, such as Las Igualadas and La Disidencia, two widely followed digital channels.

Miguel Ángel

Journalist, social media, and knowledge translation

At HIVR4P, I would like to learn more about combination HIV prevention and how we are looking at communications campaigns, policies, and general education as prevention tools for HIV.

Is stigma and discrimination a focus on the prevention of HIV? Also, how are we looking to close the gap with the Global South regarding access to different already existing prevention technologies like the long-acting injecting PrEP.

My work with the organization MasQueTresLetras, in which I talk to HIV-positive people every day, gives a big perspective on the different reasons people have issues with HIV testing, treatment and prevention methods. As result, I am able to look through the social reality of people living in Latin America and see where there is work missing, knowing that the creation of prevention methods is not the only thing left to do, but also look at the social determinants of health. 

Laura Ramos Tomás

Sexuality education facilitator, communicator, and public health master's student

As a facilitator of spaces that promote sexual health and prompt people to dismantle related taboos, l am always on the lookout for tailor-made education and communication campaigns that may inspire these conversations in different cultural and social contexts.

This will continue to be my focus as I report on HIVR4P, exploring the intersection between education, communication, and prevention, with particular attention on how to get communities involved in the development and implementation of initiatives that promote their own health and well-being.

Roger Anthony

HIV activist and clinical psychology student

In general, I want to enter spaces where mental health and HIV are discussed. I believe this is a topic that more people should work on and that should made more visible. I hope to talk with people with intersectionalities such as, indigenous trans women or sex workers with mental health conditions who work in the field of HIV.

I believe that my participation at HIVR4P could be key to the visibility of HIV-positive people who are neurodivergent.

#Love #Patience #Resilience