GNP+ is part of an innovative transnational participatory action research project hosted by the University of Warwick Center for Interdisciplinary Methodologies and funded by Fondation Botnar. The project brings together researchers, human rights lawyers, and civil society activists to look at how new technologies and artificial intelligence can be used to transform weak health systems in low-resource settings.
While these new technologies have the potential to improve programmes and service delivery, they also threaten to undermine privacy, equality and autonomy. The risks are greatest for young people and marginalised groups, such as people living with HIV, migrants, women and girls, and key populations vulnerable to HIV and tuberculosis – who are rarely able to influence the policy decisions that shape what data is gathered about them, by whom, and how that data is used or managed.
The project is implemented in Ghana, Kenya, Vietnam, and Colombia to look at young people’s use of mobile apps and social media to access information and services around HIV, TB, COVID-19 and sexual and reproductive health. Our particular focus has been on whether and how human rights concerns are being addressed, and whether youth and civil society are involved in decision-making around the design, implementation, and use of these digital tools.
Together with our project partners at STOPAIDS, we collaborated with the Young Experts: Tech for Health and The Engine Room to develop basic digital literacy resources. This downloadable resource available on this page and can be used by for youth and other health advocates to equip them with the knowledge and resources regarding digital empowerment and digital health-related advocacy.
For more information, please see Digital health and human rights of young adults in Ghana, Kenya and Vietnam: a qualitative participatory action research study and the accompanying policy brief Towards Digital Justice: Research insights into young people’s experiences as technology transforms access to health services and support.
Project partners: The Global Networks of People Living with HIV (GNP+), Vietnam Network of People Living with HIV (VNP+), Ghana Network of People Living with HIV (NAP+), Warwick University Center for Interdisciplinary Methodologies (Host), Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV & AIDS (KELIN), STOPAIDS, Universidad de los Andes, Restless Development, Privacy International.