Youth empowerment the focus at AIDS conference
Education is key in getting the word out to teenagers about the dangers of early sexual activity and unsafe sex.
THE spotlight was on empowering the youth of South Africa at this month’s AIDS conference in Durban.
According to Hilary Thulare, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Country Programme Director Southern Africa, listening to, and communicating with teenage girls and young women, has to be a top priority in the fight against HIV/AIDS in South Africa.
“One of the top issues identified by the youth on our continent is the lack of approachable resources, with non-judgmental staff, where they can go for advice, counselling and access to health care. We need to address this so we can establish better communication with the younger generation in an effort to change attitudes towards sex and motivate them to take responsibility for their sexual behaviour,” she said.
AHF youth advocates and regional activists participated at the HEAIDS Conference in Durban between 9 and 11 June. AHF’s main focus is in combating HIV and AIDS throughout Africa and has been active in South Africa since 2002.
“There is a clear acknowledgement that girls and young women in society are the most vulnerable to HIV infection. Young girls aged between 15 and 24 are cited as being at an extremely high risk of contracting HIV – almost three times higher than young men of the same age,” said Larissa Klazinga, AHF Regional Policy and Advocacy Manager, Southern Africa.
GIRLS ACT was the theme for the AHF programme-of-action which was introduced in November last year to coincide with the 16 Day of Activism to end violence against women. It is now an ongoing partnership between AHF and local schools, communities, health departments and other social organisations. “It is vitally important that young people have the education they need, empowering them to make the best decisions possible about the sexuality and their health,” said Klazinga.
AHF organises workshops around the country on a regular basis which focus on HIV, teen pregnancy, gender-based violence and self-esteem. GIRLS ACT is focusing on preventing girls from zero-converting and ensuring that HIV+ youth are enrolled and retained in HIV care with the goal of improving health outcomes. “We need to communicate with young women on their level and offer youth-friendly services and judgment-free compassionate and private consultations. Using a free-text-message service would be an ideal way of providing HIV information and answering questions via an anonymous and confidential social-media platform,” Klazinga emphasised.
Klazinga believes that education is key in getting the word out about the dangers of early sexual activity and unsafe sex.
