When Asenaca Solinadrotini talks about HIV prevention, it’s not just statistics she has in mind — it's the faces of her friends, classmates, and peers whose futures feel uncertain in the shadow of a growing health crisis. At 23, the law student from Tailevu, Fiji, has devoted the past four years to empowering young people to have the knowledge, resources, and confidence to protect their health and futures.
HIV is surging in Fiji, and young people are at the center of the crisis. In 2024 alone, 1,583 new cases were recorded - a staggering 281% increase from the previous year - with nearly eight in ten infections among those aged 18 to 34. Sexual transmissions remain a major driver of the epidemic, responsible for around 40% of known cases, while injecting drug use accounts for nearly half. For Asenaca, these numbers are not abstract, they are community members whose lives are being reshaped by the virus. Her response is not just professional; it is deeply personal, fueled by urgency and a determination to turn statistics into action.
Asenaca is one of 15 trained volunteers driving a condom campaign led by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MOHMS) and UNFPA, in partnership with the Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji and civil society partners. Focused in Suva, the initiative has installed 167 condom dispensers across university campuses, short-time hotels, public restrooms and nightclubs. Three days a week, Asenaca moves through Fiji National University campuses and surrounding communities, restocking supplies and engaging students, young professionals, nightclub patrons, and key population in open, stigma-free discussions about HIV, other STIs, and unplanned pregnancies. Beyond distribution, volunteers challenge myths, promote regular testing, and position condoms as an accessible, lifesaving tool for sexual health.
Asenaca’s motivation stems from a deep sense of responsibility and hope for the future.
What motivates me is the concern and hope for the future. Fiji has high rates of new HIV infections among young people and many adolescent girls get pregnant early. If adolescents and young people have information on HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health, these issues will be addressed and young Fijians will have a better future.
Asenaca is convinced that open conversations about critical issues such as HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy are key to reversing Fiji's high rates of both. Through her work, she not only conducts outreach sessions but also researches how structural and cultural obstacles such as traditional customs and a lack of public awareness keep young people from getting the sexual and reproductive health information and services they need.
Despite these obstacles, Asenaca has helped normalize condom use and promote healthier attitudes, reaching an estimated 1,000 young people and approximately 500 community members. She is particularly proud of her ability to engage both urban and rural communities, adapting her approach to navigate complex cultural hierarchies, with respect and sensitivity. Her efforts have earned the trust of community members in remote villages.
Asenaca's message to young Fijians is clear:
Get involved. The issues in your community are your issues too; don’t limit your contributions to academics. To policymakers, she offers an equally strong call: Include youth in decision-making, not just in implementation. Our voices matter at the table where policies are shaped.
