Strategy launched to address HIV among youths

OVER 120 young people from across Africa gathered in Harare for the Resilient Empowered Adolescents and Young People (READY) Summit, aimed at finding solutions to challenges facing young people living with HIV and key populations at high risk of HIV.

The summit also provided a platform for diverse groups to work towards ending AIDS and addressing underlying inequalities that fuel the epidemic.

The Netherlands Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, Dr Margret Verwijk, said the fight against HIV must continue as progress made is fragile and new issues were emerging that have a negative bearing on public health.

“The Netherlands is providing this substantial and long term support because we know that bodily autonomy and informed sexual and reproductive decision-making is vital to the wellbeing and happiness of individuals and their communities,” said Verwijk.

“We can, however, also celebrate good progress made over the years.

“New HIV infections have fallen by 38 percent, and AIDS-related deaths by about half since 2010 in the Southern Africa region, which remains the epicentre of the pandemic.

“We are now in an age when a person living with HIV can lead a full and happy life, as is their right.”

She added:

“These challenges overwhelmingly affect young people, and people that deal with stigmatisation in the region, including sex workers, and differently abled people.”

Advocacy and Campaigns Officer at Y+ Global, Joyce Ouma, said young people living with HIV continue to experience a myriad of challenges when they seek healthcare.

“They are constantly stigmatised on the basis of their status and on the basis of how they identify. This remains one of the biggest challenges that we have tried to address,” said Ouma.