29.07.2025
Prof Govender attended a regional SRHR symposium titled “Indigenous Solutions for Inclusive, Equitable and Gender-responsive Youth SRHR Outcomes in SADC”. The symposium took place in Johannesburg from the 4th of June to the 5th of June 2025. The symposium convened a diverse group of actors and stakeholders, to accelerate thought-leadership and define strategies for bolder indigenous solutions in policy, practice and service delivery for gender-responsive youth SRHR outcomes across the SADC region.
Professor Govender took part in a roundtable discussion wh...
21.07.2025
HEARD was proud to host the first Asenze Impilo Stakeholder Meeting on Tuesday, 15 April, at The Edward Hotel in Durban. This important session brought together key partners from the Departments of Basic Education, Health, Social Development, the Office of the Premier, as well as representatives from Civil society, South African Depression and Anxiety Group, Bridging the Gap SA, and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Together, we explored the current landscape of mental health and psychosocial support services for adolescents and young adul...
01.07.2025
HEARD is delighted to announce the publication of a new book which examines the complex relationships between young masculinities and sexual health within Southern Africa. It considers how socio-cultural and economic factors shape young men’s experiences of masculinity and the effects on relationship dynamics, gender norms and sexual health.
Through thematic chapters covering love, pleasure, social norms, risk, and HIV, the book emphasises the global importance of engaging young men in fostering gender equity and promoting healthier sexual practices. Readers ...
30.06.2025
HEARD is celebrating the graduation of one of our students, Dr Lilian Akoth Oogo, who was supported in her studies through the HEARD PhD Scholarship Programme. Below are a few insights on Dr Oogo’s PhD journey.
Your thesis topic: The title of my study is Risk Environment Factors in the Disproportionate HIV Incidence in Nyanza region: A Comparative Historical Analysis. The study sought to investigate whether
there was a particular set of environmental factors that could help explain the historically high HIV incidence rates in Nyanza region when compared to o...
24.06.2025
HEARD is celebrating the graduation of one of our students, Dr Murphy Kajumi, who was supported in his studies through the HEARD PhD Scholarship Programme. Below are a few insights on Dr Kajumi’s PhD journey.
Thesis topic: My thesis title was “HIV and AIDS Service Delivery (In)efficiency in Malawi: A Transaction Cost Economics Analysis of the Antiretroviral Programme.
What inspired me to start a PhD: During my consultancy work, I found myself increasingly collaborating with health researchers. My interest in health economics research was sparked while wo...
07.05.2025
HEARD is celebrating the graduation of one of our students, Dr Agnes Nyabigambo, who was supported in her studies through the HEARD PhD Scholarship Programme. Below are a few insights on Dr Nyabigambo’s PhD journey.
Your thesis topic: Effectiveness of Clinic-Based Patient-Led HPV DNA Self-Sampling among Women Living with HIV in Uganda
What inspired you to start your PhD: My eagerness to start the PhD was derived from having a deeper understanding of sexual reproductive health and rights among women living with HIV. I believe by carrying out part of my PhD ...
17.04.2025
Did you know that 1 in 4 South African youth experience depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder? But many don’t know about the help available to them, while those who are aware do not always get the help they need. According to StatsSA (2022), results of the South African National Youth Risk Behaviour Survey showed that 24% of youth between Grade 8 to Grade 11 had experienced feelings of depression, hopelessness and sadness, while a further 21% had attempted suicide at least once.
In KwaZulu-Natal, as well as nationally, the prevalence of menta...
01.04.2025
HEARD is celebrating the graduation of one of our students, Dr Happy Magama, who was supported in her studies through the HEARD PhD Scholarship Programme. Below are a few insights on Dr Magama's PhD journey.
Your thesis topic: An analysis of the Integration of HIV and SRH Services to improve access and outcomes in Low-Income Countries with High Prevalence: A case study of Zimbabwe and Zambia.
What inspired you to start your PhD: My decision to pursue a PhD was deeply rooted in my extensive experience in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and HIV/AIDS, ...
27.02.2025
RIATT-ESA, with the support of HEARD, is hosting a webinar to discuss and reflect on the impact of the US funding freeze on global health and progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS in East and Southern Africa.
Information on the Webinar:
📅 Date: 4th March 2025
🕒 Time: 12 PM SAST/ 1 PM EAT
📍 Platform: Microsoft Teams
🔗 Register here: Webinar Registration Link
To read the concept note click here: RIATT-HEARD webinar....
23.10.2024
HEARD is delighted to announce the publication of a new book which offers a critical examination of the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of young women and girls in Southern Africa, and the ways in which current policies and programmes aimed at improving SRHR often fail to reach the most marginalised populations. Based on theoretical analysis and empirical data gathered from studies carried out in five Southern African countries (Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe), the authors argue that a continued focus on HIV and interve...
