10th International Workshop on Adolescence, SRHR & HIV 2026 Now Accepting Abstract Submissions
Adolescence is often described as a window of opportunity — but for millions of young people worldwide, it is also a period marked by health risks, stigma and unequal access to care. In September 2026, global experts, youth advocates and researchers will gather in Bangkok to push that window wider open.
The 10th International Workshop on Adolescence, SRHR & HIV 2026, scheduled for 21–23 September 2026, has officially opened its call for research abstract submissions. The workshop invites healthcare professionals, researchers, youth advocates, programme implementers and community leaders working in HIV, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and adolescent health to share evidence, innovation and lived experience.
Globally, adolescents remain at the centre of major SRHR challenges. According to UNAIDS, approximately 1.7 million adolescents (10–19 years) are living with HIV worldwide, and young people account for a significant share of new infections each year. Girls and young women in many low- and middle-income countries remain disproportionately affected.
At the same time, barriers to comprehensive sexuality education, youth-friendly sexual health services, and mental health support continue to undermine adolescent wellbeing. In South Asia, including Bangladesh, early marriage, stigma around sexual health, and limited adolescent-friendly HIV services remain pressing concerns.
Against this backdrop, the Bangkok workshop aims to create a global platform for evidence-based dialogue.
“We are bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, youth advocates, and community leaders to share new insights, evidence, and innovations that can shape better outcomes for adolescents worldwide,” organisers noted in the announcement.
Over the years, international workshops on HIV and SRHR have played a crucial role in shaping global guidelines, improving treatment access, and amplifying youth voices. This 10th edition signals continuity and urgency.
The focus areas are expected to include:
- Adolescent HIV prevention and treatment
- Comprehensive sexuality education
- Gender equality and sexual rights
- Youth-friendly reproductive health services
- Mental health and digital health innovations
- Community-led and survivor-informed approaches
Workshops like this help translate research into policy. Evidence shared at such forums often informs national strategies, donor priorities and clinical guidelines.
For countries like Bangladesh, where nearly one-third of the population is under 18, investing in adolescent SRHR research and policy innovation is critical. Platforms that encourage regional participation ensure that Global South perspectives are included in shaping global health discourse.
Importantly, the workshop emphasises collaboration between researchers and youth advocates. Meaningful adolescent participation is increasingly recognised as a core principle of SRHR programming. Policies designed without youth input often fail to address real-life barriers faced by adolescents.
By opening abstract submissions early, organisers are encouraging diverse voices — including early-career researchers and community-based organisations — to contribute.
As the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals approach, progress on HIV prevention and adolescent sexual health remains uneven. Global health experts warn that without renewed investment and youth-centred strategies, hard-won gains could stall.
The Bangkok workshop offers a timely opportunity to refocus attention on adolescent health equity. For researchers and advocates working in SRHR, HIV and sexual rights, this is more than a conference call — it is a chance to influence global conversations.
The abstract submission deadline is 5 June 2026.
To submit your abstract, please visit – https://amededu.co/4kpuqcJ
