We speak to Yvette Raphael, Executive Director of Advocates for the Prevention of HIV in Africa (APHA), for her insights into improving access, information and support for young women across the continent.

Activist Yvette Raphael, living with HIV for more than 20 years, says US cuts to South Africa’s HIV funding were felt “overnight” as mobile and safe‑space clinics closed. PEPFAR and UNAIDS support helped expand testing and treatment and drive down new infections in one of the world’s highest‑prevalence countries. Now programs report staff cuts, fewer tests and longer waits for life‑saving medicines, just as UNAIDS prepares to shut down in 2026.

Video Description: "Advocates for the prevention of HIV in Africa is calling for President Cyril Ramaphosa to take urgent and visible action on the killing of women and children in the country. This is as the country grapples with the discovery of 9 bodies in the Ekurhuleni region of Gauteng. The advocacy group says gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) must be treated as a national crisis. But to talk us through some of the demands, we are joined via video link by Yvette

Advocates for the Prevention of HIV in Africa, an organisation working with young women and girls, is deeply concerned by the fear and grief felt by women, families and communities in the Kempton Park area and South Africa at large following reports of women being killed. We call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to take urgent and visible action. Women and young women cannot continue living in fear while walking, travelling, working, studying or exercising in their own commun

In Episode 9 of HIV Prevention in Action, host Cwayita Jemsana sits down with Dr Cosnet Lerato, Medical Doctor and Health Advocate, for an open and informative conversation about women’s health and the questions young people may be too afraid or embarrassed to ask.

A recent article produced by the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism sheds light on the real-world impact of South Africa’s rollout of long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), Lenacapavir.

The narrative around HIV has shifted profoundly over the last few decades - moving away from a narrative of despair to one defined by survival, quality of life, and long-term health. Recently, APHA Co-Founder and Executive Director Yvette Raphael joined Gugs Mhlungu on Weekend Breakfast on 702for an insightful conversation exploring "The evolving face of HIV: From treatment to longevity."

From AIDS 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, A Shot in the Arm podcast hosts, Ben and Yvette, discuss why convening the global AIDS community still matters amid major financial challenges and shifts in U.S. aid. They emphasize “humanity first,” the need for African leadership, sovereignty in HIV financing, and learning how programs survived when aid decreased because “the community stayed.” They discuss remembering people lost due to changes in American aid and reject “America First” ap

APHA director and co-founder, Yvette Raphael, recently appeared on SABC News’ It’s Topical to discuss a massive breakthrough in HIV prevention: Lenacapavir (Lenacap). As South Africa rolls out the first phase of this twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), Yvette took the stage alongside the National Department of Health to represent the voices of advocates, civil society, and the young people who need it most.

In this episode of HIV Prevention in Action, host Cwayita Jemsana sits down with Nkosikhona "Uzzi" Mpungose, Founder and Director of Youth Inter-Active (YIA), public health advocate, and community leader, to discuss the role of youth activism in HIV prevention and social change.

We are incredibly proud to highlight a powerful new piece written by APHA co-founder Ntando Yola, recently published in Spotlight. Writing in the wake of the historic national launch of the twice-yearly lenacapavir injection in Secunda, Mpumalanga, Ntando reflects on what this milestone truly represents. It is not just a triumph of laboratory science, but a profound testament to the courage, time, and trust of ordinary young South Africans.

In this episode of HIV Prevention in Action, host Cwayita Jemsana sits down with youth leader and advocate Levi Singh to discuss the role of young people in shaping HIV prevention efforts, influencing policy conversations, and creating meaningful change in their communities and beyond.

The African Women Prevention Accountability Community Board (AWPACB) has joined global health advocates in celebrating the landmark launch of Lenacapavir in South Africa. While this long-acting HIV prevention drug represents a monumental shift in the HIV response, the AWPACB is raising critical concerns regarding the equity and accessibility of the current government rollout strategy.

Yvette Raphael, founder and director of Advocacy for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS (APHA), joined Newzroom Afrika to discuss the launch. Raphael shares vital insights into how the injection works, its localised side effects, and how it can alleviate daily "pill fatigue."

On 14th May, 2026, Yvette Raphael, found and director of APHA, delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly titled Delivering equitable, people-centered, and stigma-free HIV services across the continuum.

A new call to action from the Africa Women’s Prevention Community Accountability Board (AWPCAB) serves as a vital reminder: Access to health care is a human right, but choice is the engine of health equity. As new biomedical interventions like long-acting injectable PrEP become available, the public health community faces a challenge. It is not enough for these tools to exist; they must be accessible, affordable, and integrated into a system that respects the autonomy of t

A critical new report highlights how recent shifts in U.S. foreign policy are dismantling years of progress in South Africa’s fight against HIV. According to a report by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), significant funding cuts from the United States are undermining the country's healthcare infrastructure at a pivotal moment. Key Takeaways from the Report: Wasted Investment: The U.S. previously funded approximately 17% of South Africa’s HIV budget. By abruptly slashing this

We are thrilled to share a powerful new interview featuring Yvette Raphael, the founder of Advocates for the Prevention of HIV in Africa (APHA). Recently, Yvette sat down with the team at Global Health Unfiltered for a deep dive into her 25-year journey as an advocate, the evolution of HIV prevention, and the critical need to put African women at the centre of clinical research.

Johannesburg, South Africa — 8 April 2026 Advocates for the Prevention of HIV in Africa (APHA ) welcomes the news that South Africa’s first consignment of long-acting lenacapavir for HIV prevention has arrived in the country . A twice-yearly injectable option has the potential to expand HIV prevention choices and support people who struggle to take a daily pill consistently. APHA also calls on government and partners to match this moment with urgency and clarity—so that the p

In a recent op-ed for The Independent, Yvette Raphael shared her deep concerns regarding the UK government’s decision to cut £900 million in bilateral aid to Africa. As a woman living with HIV in South Africa, Raphael knows that these are not just abstract policy shifts; they are life-and-death decisions that dismantle decades of hard-won progress.