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The Article in the Times "Young South Africans getting into condoms" indicates that more young people are taking responsibility for their lives and ownership of the HIV Aids pandemic. The debates surrounding HIV/Aids have previously been characterised with contradicting political views.
The recent developments have shown that awareness campaigns have now yielded results and this is evidenced in the recent findings. According to research done by Saul Johnson, managing director of research body Health and Development Africa, there is a significant difference with regards to the usage of condoms between people that are exposed to communication programmes around HIV/Aids and those that aren't.
As the YCLSA we believe that more needs to be done in order to build from the current progress. Education is an important tool to further conscientise young people about the use of condoms at all times; forming part of Life Orientation Skills in Schools. The distribution of female condoms should also be intensified as most women do not have access to them and this gives the notion that only males can exercise their right to be protected against HIV/Aids.
We further encourage young people to test regularly to know their status, as this is the first step to fighting the spread of HIV. Government must increase production and distribution of condoms and even further subsidise "over the counter" condoms as they are expensive and at times are the only ones that are most accessible.
The distribution of condoms and HIV awareness campaigns should spread in all areas of our communities; in schools, shebeens, sports facilities, churches, hospitals, taxi-ranks, train-stations, petrol stations; teachers and pastors more importantly should encourage talk and interaction around the HIV/Aids. Politicians as well as community leadership need to work in synergy to when advocating HIV/Aids awareness.
Khomanani- Caring together we can do more!