HEARD researchers and partners from Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and Angola recently came together in Durban for the second annual regional research meeting for the Linking Policy to Programming Project.

This joint 4-year project is aimed at strengthening the legal and policy environments for reducing HIV risk and improving the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) of young key populations (YKPs) in Southern Africa (2017-2020).

The participants presented their findings, explored and discussed the themes that are emerging from and across the different country pieces of research on the social determinants and drivers of SRH risks for young key populations. Further academic exchange focused on the methodological issues of conducting research with adolescent populations and the translation of findings into policy and practice the five project countries and the region more broadly.

The meeting was also attended by HEARD’s project partners from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and African Men for Sexual Health and Rights (AMSHeR). The Linking Policy to Programming project is funded by the Dutch Ministry for Aid and Trade.