HIV Prevention Champions Program for Young Women (Uganda)

The International Community of Women Living with HIV Eastern Africa (ICWEA) is accepting applications for the HIV Prevention Champions Programme under the HER CHOICE+ Project: HIV Equity and Resilience through Choice, Ownership, Influence and Collective Empowerment. The programme will recruit 18 young women from Kampala Metropolitan, Mbarara City, and Hoima City to lead HIV prevention awareness, peer education, community mobilisation, and advocacy while receiving training, mentorship, and ongoing technical support.

About the ICWEA HIV Prevention Champions Programme

The International Community of Women Living with HIV Eastern Africa (ICWEA) is implementing the HER CHOICE+ Project to strengthen HIV prevention among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Uganda.

The initiative empowers young women to become community leaders who promote HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender equality, and access to health services. Through training, mentorship, and community engagement, HIV Prevention Champions will help improve HIV prevention literacy and encourage greater use of available prevention services.

A total of 18 HIV Prevention Champions will be selected across three target locations in Uganda.

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

Increase HIV prevention awareness among adolescent girls and young women.
Promote sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
Strengthen community leadership among young women.
Support peer education and community mobilisation.
Improve access to HIV prevention information and services.
Promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Strengthen community-led advocacy for HIV prevention.
Build leadership and advocacy skills among young women.

Areas of Focus

The programme focuses on:

HIV prevention.
Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW).
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
Community leadership.
Peer education.
Gender equality.
HIV prevention literacy.
Community mobilisation.
Advocacy.
Access to healthcare services.

Programme Locations

The programme will recruit:

6 HIV Prevention Champions from Kampala Metropolitan.
6 HIV Prevention Champions from Mbarara City.
6 HIV Prevention Champions from Hoima City.

A total of 18 champions will participate in the programme.

Benefits of Becoming an HIV Prevention Champion

Selected participants will receive:

Comprehensive HIV prevention training.
Leadership development opportunities.
Mentorship from experienced professionals.
Ongoing technical support.
Practical advocacy experience.
Community mobilisation skills.
Opportunities to strengthen peer education networks.
Experience working on community-led health initiatives.

Roles and Responsibilities

HIV Prevention Champions will:

Raise awareness about HIV prevention methods.
Promote demand for HIV prevention services.
Educate peers on sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Facilitate referrals to HIV prevention information and healthcare services.
Mobilise adolescent girls and young women within their communities.
Document community experiences and feedback.
Support community-led advocacy initiatives.
Promote gender equality and health rights.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must:

Be young women aged 15 to 35 years.
Reside in Kampala Metropolitan, Mbarara City, or Hoima City.
Demonstrate a commitment to HIV prevention.
Support gender equality and community leadership.
Be willing to participate in programme training and community engagement activities.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should:

Have experience in peer support or community mobilisation.
Demonstrate an interest in supporting adolescent girls and young women.
Be willing to connect community members with HIV prevention services and information.
Participate actively throughout the project.

Experience supporting access to health services, information, or human rights will strengthen an application.

Priority Applicants

ICWEA particularly encourages applications from women in all their diversity, including:

Young women with disabilities.
Students.
Out-of-school young women.
Sex workers.
Women who use drugs.
Pregnant women.
Breastfeeding women.

The programme promotes inclusive participation and equal opportunities.

Why This Programme Matters

Young women continue to face significant barriers to accessing HIV prevention information, sexual and reproductive health services, and leadership opportunities.

The ICWEA HIV Prevention Champions Programme empowers young women to become trusted community leaders who educate peers, strengthen local advocacy, promote gender equality, and improve access to life-saving HIV prevention services. By building local leadership, the programme contributes to healthier and more resilient communities across Uganda.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should:

Review the programme eligibility requirements.
Confirm they meet the age and residency criteria.
Prepare any required supporting information or documentation.
Complete the official application form.
Demonstrate their commitment to HIV prevention and community leadership.
Submit the application before the programme deadline.
Await notification regarding selection and training.

Tips for Applicants

To strengthen your application:

Highlight previous community or volunteer experience.
Demonstrate your passion for HIV prevention and gender equality.
Explain your experience supporting adolescent girls and young women.
Describe any peer education or community mobilisation activities.
Show your willingness to participate in training and advocacy.
Emphasise your commitment to serving your local community.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid the following:

Applying without meeting the residency requirements.
Providing incomplete application information.
Failing to explain your interest in HIV prevention.
Omitting relevant volunteer or leadership experience.
Not demonstrating your willingness to participate in programme activities.
Submitting the application after the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the HIV Prevention Champions Programme?

Young women aged 15–35 years living in Kampala Metropolitan, Mbarara City, or Hoima City are eligible to apply.

How many HIV Prevention Champions will be selected?

A total of 18 champions will be selected, with six participants from each of the three target locations.

What support will selected participants receive?

Champions will receive training, mentorship, leadership development, and ongoing technical support throughout the programme.

Is previous experience required?

Applicants should have experience in peer support, community mobilisation, or supporting adolescent girls and young women to access health information or services.

What activities will HIV Prevention Champions carry out?

Champions will promote HIV prevention, educate peers on SRHR, facilitate referrals to health services, mobilise communities, document experiences, and contribute to advocacy initiatives.

Are women with disabilities encouraged to apply?

Yes. ICWEA strongly encourages applications from women in all their diversity, including women with disabilities and other underrepresented groups.

What is the HER CHOICE+ Project?

The HER CHOICE+ Project (HIV Equity and Resilience through Choice, Ownership, Influence and Collective Empowerment) is an initiative that empowers young women to improve HIV prevention, leadership, advocacy, and access to sexual and reproductive health services.

Conclusion

The ICWEA HIV Prevention Champions Programme offers an excellent opportunity for young women in Uganda to become leaders in HIV prevention, gender equality, and community health. Through training, mentorship, peer education, and advocacy, participants will help expand access to HIV prevention services, strengthen community resilience, and empower adolescent girls and young women to make informed health choices.