Young women want to conquer HIV
The campaign aims to break the cycle of HIV transmission from older men to younger women, which has been found to be the largest source of sexual transmission of the disease.
THE 21st International AIDS Conference, entered its third day (Wednesday, 20 July), with South Africa’s young women and girls making clear their intention to play a pivotal part in any intervention meant to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Young women introduced delegates to the work being done by youth organisations to prevent through education and activism, the spread of HIV.
The highlight of the young women and girl’s session was the introduction of the ilovelife.mobi mobile application which allows young women to earn rewards based on how much knowledge they have about their sexual health, as well as staying away from blessers and focusing on their education. (Blessers is a term used to describe older men who provide monetary and other material rewards to younger females in return for sexual favours.)
South African Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi introduced ‘She Conquers’ as the official name of the national HIV prevention campaign for girls and young women launched by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on June 24, 2016.
The campaign aims to break the cycle of HIV transmission from older men to younger women, which has been found to be the largest source of sexual transmission of the disease.
She Conquers is a three-year campaign that focuses on HIV infections, unwanted pregnancies, school drop-out, sexual and gender-based violence, unemployment and a shortage of economic opportunities among girls and young women.
Minister Motsoaledi also announced that the campaign would be expanded to include boys and young men aged between 15 and 35.
