Nagaland Influencers Conclave 2.0 focuses on HIV awareness

Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) organized the Nagaland Influencers Conclave 2.0 on June 12 at De Oriental Grand, Kohima, under the theme “Empower and Engage.”
The event brought together 32 social media influencers from across the state to raise awareness on HIV and STI prevention, testing, treatment, and support services.
Delivering key note address, NSACS project director Dr. Ahu Sekhose emphasized the role of influencers in shaping public attitudes and breaking the stigma surrounding HIV. Joint director Metevinuo Sakhrie highlighted the importance of digital platforms in reaching youth and vulnerable communities with credible health information.
Panel discussions were led by senior NSACS officials, including Dr. Nukshisangla Jamir, Dr. M.C. Longai Phom, Dr. Zaiwang Zeliang, Metevinuo Sakhrie, and Dr. Bernice D. Thapru. While Yhuni, a member of the Kohima Network of Positive People (KNP+), shared her personal journey of living with HIV and spoke on the importance of community support.
The Tetseo Sisters captivated the audience with a musical performance, promoting resilience and hope through their melodies.
One of the event’s highlights was the “Red Ramp” segment, where influencers walked the ramp and delivered powerful one-liners to challenge stigma and promote HIV awareness. The participants also took a unified Influencers’ Pledge, committing to responsible use of their platforms. The conclave provided influencers with a deeper understanding of HIV-related challenges and fostered collaboration between NSACS and digital content creators for future awareness campaigns. NSACS hopes the initiative will help reduce new HIV infections and promote a stigma-free, inclusive society through innovative communication strategies.