UNAIDS has revealed alarming statistics indicating that over 3,100 young women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa are infected with HIV each week, accounting for 77% of global infections among this demographic.
The United Nations agency said in a statement on Thursday that young people, especially adolescent girls and young women, are disproportionately affected by HIV.
“Globally, 44 percent of all new HIV infections were among women and girls (all ages) in 2023 and every week 4,000 young women and girls around the world are infected with HIV – 3,100 are in sub-Saharan Africa,” the statement said.
The agency revealed that some 3.1 million adolescents and young people in the 15-24 age group were living with HIV in 2023, with 1.9 million of them being adolescent girls and young women.
In response to this crisis, two young African social media influencers living with HIV, Ibanomonde Ngema from South Africa and Jerop Limo from Kenya, are set to take their call for action to the United Nations General Assembly and the Summit of the Future.
With support from UNAIDS, Ngema and Limo aim to urge world leaders to invest in youth-friendly health systems and provide comprehensive services tailored to the needs of young people living with HIV.
Limo articulated the collective voice of young people, saying he wanted world leaders “to leave New York knowing that we are not beneficiaries; we are equal rights holders.”
She called for meaningful engagement and an equal playing field for young people in the AIDS response, emphasising that their lived experiences are crucial in shaping effective policies.
Despite their critical role in the fight against AIDS, young people often face stigma and discrimination when accessing healthcare services, which deters them from seeking essential support.
Ngema and Limo represent a new generation of activists determined to drive change and uphold their rights in the global HIV response.
“Young people’s powerful and vibrant activism has driven so much of the progress made in the HIV response,” UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima said.
She emphasised the importance of involving young people in decision-making processes to effectively combat the epidemic.
JN/APA