Crossing The Last Mile

In East and Southern Africa, HIV has a face, and it is disproportionately young and female.Of the 21.1 million people living with HIV in the region, adolescent girls and young women aged 15 to 24 acquire HIV at three times the rate of their male peers. Of every new infection among young people in this region, 28% are in adolescent girls and young women.But behind every statistic is a life. A story of navigating relationships, healthcare systems, stigma, and self-worth, often in silence.Understanding what it truly means to live with HIV as a young woman in this region isn't just an act of compassion. It's essential intelligence for anyone working to end this epidemic. Because the last mile isn't a road. It's a person.Today, we hear from one of them: Nomonde NgemaExecutive producers: Anne Githuku-Shongwe, Bathsheba Okwenje for UNAIDSProducers: Koketso Madubye, Aude Labbe-VideauCreative Lead; Dan Aceda, Bathsheba OkwenjeWriters: Dan Aceda, Bathsheba OkwenjeEngineering: Dan Aceda, House of Dillie Narration by Susan KimashiaMix and Mastering - SemaBOXSupported by - 2gerther 4 SRHRAll rights reserved. 

Welcome to Crossing the Last MileThe data tells us an uncomfortable truth: HIV follows inequality.Across the world, people pushed to the margins of society - sex workers, gay men and other men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs and people in prisons - remain most vulnerable. Not because of who they are, but because of systems that exclude and criminalize them.We cannot end AIDS without them.That is why, today, we are speaking to Richard Lusimbo, fearless LGBTQ activist and HIV advocate who has built a powerful coalition that strengthens key populations and drives change.A bold, compassionate and strategic leader, Richard’s journey challenges, inspires and demands to be heard.Join us as we explore his story, impact and vision for crossing the last mile.Executive producers: Anne Githuku-Shongwe, Bathsheba Okwenje for UNAIDSProducers: Koketso Madubye, Aude Labbe-VideauCreative Lead; Dan Aceda, Bathsheba OkwenjeWriters: Dan Aceda, Bathsheba OkwenjeEngineering: Dan Aceda, House of Dillie Narration by Susan KimashiaMix and Mastering - SemaBOXSupported by - 2gerther 4 SRHRAll rights reserved. 

In this opening episode, Anne Githuku-Shongwe, Regional Director for UNAIDS in East and Southern Africa, breaks down the current state of the HIV response in Africa at a time when global funding cuts are reshaping the landscape.We hear directly from those on the front line — health workers facing job losses, community organisations under strain, and people living with HIV who share their fears, frustrations, and concerns about what reduced support means for their treatment and wellbeing. Yet this episode also highlights resilience.Across the region, communities and governments are mobilising, reallocating resources, and finding new ways to keep essential services alive. Their determination underscores a powerful message: even in the face of disruption, progress must not be allowed to slip.Welcome to the journey of Crossing the Last Mile — a space for honest voices and urgent conversations about sustaining Africa’s HIV response.This podcast is made possible by the partnership 2gether4SRHR and is made ay SemaBOX.NOTESThis episode includes additional audio from the following sources: CNN -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN9DMYRVb8EDW NEWS-  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5_7hjNZNl4DW AFRICA - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug8WKJpmlZQ&t=17sALJAZEERA -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoXhYZtFsW0&t=223sUNAIDS - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR33F9UfAkUUNAIDS - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwyLzcMhWkAENCA p https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqAO_5i7M3YExecutive producers: Anne Githuku-Shongwe, Bathsheba OkwenjeProducers: Koketso Madubye, Aude Labbe-VideauCreative Lead; Dan Aceda Writers: Dan Aceda, Bathsheba OkwenjeEngineering: Dan Aceda, House of Dillie Narration by Susan KimashiaMix and Mastering - SemaBOXAll righst reserved. Executive producers: Anne Githuku-Shongwe, Bathsheba Okwenje for UNAIDSProducers: Koketso Madubye, Aude Labbe-VideauCreative Lead; Dan Aceda, Bathsheba OkwenjeWriters: Dan Aceda, Bathsheba OkwenjeEngineering: Dan Aceda, House of Dillie Narration by Susan KimashiaMix and Mastering - SemaBOXSupported by - 2gerther 4 SRHRAll rights reserved. 

Welcome to Crossing The Last Mile,a podcast by UNAIDS East and Southern Africa, hosted by Anne Githuku Shongwe.Join us for this and other episodes as we tell the remarkable story of resilience and undying hope for the journey to end AIDs as a public health threat by 2030.This podcast is supported by the partnership 2gether4SRHR and is available on all podcast platforms and was made at SemaBOX.Walk with us as we go Crossing The Last MileExecutive producers: Anne Githuku-Shongwe, Bathsheba Okwenje for UNAIDSProducers: Koketso Madubye, Aude Labbe-VideauCreative Lead; Dan Aceda, Bathsheba OkwenjeWriters: Dan Aceda, Bathsheba OkwenjeEngineering: Dan Aceda, House of Dillie Narration by Susan KimashiaMix and Mastering - SemaBOXSupported by - 2gerther 4 SRHRAll rights reserved.