As we celebrate International youth day let as remember Globally,
an estimated 4.6 million young people are living with HIV. Each day, about 2300
young people are newly infected with HIV. Many young people living with HIV do
not have access to treatment or do not know their HIV status. In many African countries,
young people are prevented from accessing sexual and reproductive health
services, including HIV testing and condoms, due to age-related restrictions. Even
though there have been tremendous achievements in the response to the HIV epidemic
for adolescents and youth but much more needs to be done. Young people are not
only beneficiaries of HIV services but also play an important role as partners
and leaders in the AIDS response and that’s why African youths must take center
stage and reclaim
their right to health as agents of positive change and be part of the decision
making processes that will impact their lives, youth living with HIV/AIDs must
ensure they are meaningfully engaged in all programme development.
If indeed Africa have to celebrate the international youth day
then issues of youths living with HIV and empowerment are key, African
government will only do Youth living with HIV proud to celebrate the
international youth day if they commit to; Integrate
HIV into Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services and policies, Increase
access to evidence-informed prevention and treatment, Remove laws that prevent
young people from accessing services, Resources for young people and HIV are
allocated based on need and evidence.
To fellow African
youths I have refused to celebrate you until that day you will come out of your
cocoon, claim your position and advocate for the rights of youths living with HIV.
