UNAIDS Asia-Pacific 
Chloe S. Reynaldo is now 17 years-old. Since she was 15 years-old the honour student from the Philippines has been using her talent for public speaking to inform her peers about adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
Among the topics that she discusses while speaking at various high schools in Aklan province are sexually transmitted infections, HIV and other issues relating to young people. She considers that her advocacy is not limited to high-school students but includes their families as well. Chloe was one of five panelists who participated in the Asia-Pacific launch of the State of the World Population Report 2015 by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) which took place in Bangkok.
UNAIDS interviewed her about what it’s like being a young peer-educator, where often the people she talks to are older than her.
(The views and opinions expressed in interviews or commentaries are those of the interviewees and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of UNAIDS).
Public health leaders and key stakeholders from around the world have come together at the Prince Mahidol Award Conference to discuss how limited health resources can be used in the most cost-effective way to provide high-quality health care.
The sun is starting to dip low over the horizon as Prayune Sawangnam (Prayune) steps into the brightly decorated offices of the Sisters Foundation. The non-profit organization provides health, education and support services to the transgender community in Pattaya, a beach town located a two-hour drive from Bangkok. Ms Prayune with her neat bun and long flowing dress presents a commanding figure and is treated respectfully by the dozen other transgender women gathered at Sisters.
Daina from India is a young transgender woman, who is a first year Bachelor of Information Science student. Only 20-years-old, Daina has experienced, poverty, discrimination, sex-work and abuse, but today Daina stands strong. During a workshop organized by Youth Voices Count in Bangkok, Thailand, UNAIDS spoke to Daina about her struggles, how she overcame them and where she is today.
(The views and opinions expressed in interviews or commentaries are those of the interviewees and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of UNAIDS.)
Su Su likes to run around trailing a kite in her hand. The 13-year old girl, whose face is smeared with Myanmar’s trademark thanakha powder often plays with the young Buddhist female novices, who live like her in Yaelae Taik Thit monastery, which is located opposite Waibargi Hospital in North Okkalapa Township, Yangon.
Watsamon Tri-yasakda who prefers to be called June is a 25-year-old freelance photographer who lives in Bangkok, Thailand. She graduated two years ago and her photo projects include event coverage as well as documentary photography and this year focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) stories. June photographed several major LGBT pride parades in Asia and recently covered “The One: Miss Teen Beauty Queen 2015” -a transgender teen beauty pageant in Thailand. UNAIDS spoke to June about her interests, passion and why she does what she does.
Meet Pema Doji, a tour guide and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) activist from Bhutan, which is perched on the Eastern edge of the Himalayan mountains. Pema describes himself as an introvert who’s idea of a perfect day is staying home, sipping a cup of tea and reading a really good book.
He says he is socially awkward because of the bullying and discrimination that he experienced while growing up. After battling depression and suicide attempts, Pema today empowers young people in Bhutan to deal with stigma and discrimination. Pema’s story is an example of what many young LGBTI from Asia and the Pacific face. During a workshop organized by Youth Voices Count, UNAIDS spoke to Pema about coming out, overcoming depression and much more.
A young man wearing a striped red T-shirt and faded blue jeans enters a popular bar in downtown Quezon City, the Philippines. He starts speaking to the owner and is soon joined by several other young men. It’s 10 p.m. and the group blends in seamlessly with the other bar customers. The young men are not here to relax, though. They are peer educators and health workers employed by Quezon City’s health department.
UNAIDS Asia-Pacific 