Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
For immediate reease:
WORLD AIDS DAY
HIV/AIDS CAMPAIGN A PLEDGE BY THE NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION
Of the 30 million people alive today with HIV infection or AIDS, at least a third are young people aged 10-24. Every day, 7000 young people worldwide acquire the virus. This means around 2,6 million new infections a year among young people, including 1,7 million in Africa and 700 000 in Asia and the Pacific.
Overall, young people account for at least 50% of all those who become infected after infancy, and in some countries the figure exceeds 60%. To some extent these high infection rates reflect the preponderance of young people in the world. The global population grew by 75%, the proportion of young people increased by 99%. Of the world's young people, 85% live in developing countries, and this is where over nine-tenths of the epidemic is now concentrated.
Why are Young eople so Vulnerable?
But population percentages tell only part of the story! There are special reasons why young people are specially exposed to infection with what is above all a sexually transmitted virus. One is that adolescence and youth are times of discovery, emerging feelings and the exploration of new behavior and relationships.
Sexual behavior, an important part of this, can involve risks; the same is true of experimentation with drugs, legal and illegal. At the same time, young people get mixed messages. They are often faced with double standards calling for virginity in girls but early and active sexual behavior in boys. They are confronted with media images of sex, smoking and drinking as glamorous and risk-free. They are told to be abstinent, but exposed to a barrage of advertisements using sex to sell goods.
Youth-friendly information-information that keeps the realities facing young people in mind-is often lacking. Compounding the challenge, in the name of morality, culture or religion young people are often denied their right to education about the health risks of sexual and other risk behavior, and to important tools and services for protection.
Southern Africa Statistics
In South Africa, it is estimated that three million people are now living with HIV, and 700 000 were infected in 1997 alone. AIDS is doubling, or even tripling, death rates among young adults in countries in Southern Africa.
President Mandela has said that the South African economy will shrink by 1% a year because of AIDS.
Every minute five more people less than 25 years of age are being infected, HIV and AIDS have become the single greatest threat to the lives of South Africa's young women and men. It is estimated that around 2,6 million South Africans are presently infected with HIV, with the highest impact on young women and men between 16 to 25 years. This group represents young women and men who are in their productive and reproductive stages. The fact that youth are in their reproductive stage means that the transmission rates to children is.
Young people are particularly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS due to the fact that they are often at the age when experimentation and experimentation and exploration are key parts of their lifestyle. A lack of opportunities and skills to address their knowledge and attitudes about HIV infection adds to their vulnerability.
furthermore, young women are even more vulnerable as the unequal distribution of power between men and women often places them at a disadvantage in terms of their ability to control their bodies and lives.
It is within this context that the National Youth Commission pledges the following:
1. Through the YOUNG POSITIVE LIVING AMBASSADORS PROJECT, a pilot project currently implemented in KwaZulu-Natal, in partnership with non-government sector, the commission engages young people in a fight against HIV/AIDS.
2. Young people who have tested positive with HIV/AIDS act as ambassadors where they address schools, community groups providing information on the prevention of the disease, services and counseling. These young women and men will are positive role models for persons living with AIDS while raising awareness on issues of HIV/AIDS.
3. This project emphasizes that young people who are infected will be centrally involved in education and training strategies on HIV/AIDS. In addition, these young women will act as advocates for the rights, needs and concerns of all young people and encourage openess around HIV/AIDS. Openness is understood to be acceptance by the community at large and willingness to discuss HIV/AIDS by people who are infected by the disease.
4. Through the public awareness campaing, working with the youth sector, the private sector, and key NGO's and government departments, a clear messages using all forms of media, to educate and inform young women and men aged 18-25 about will be implemented. This will include exciting information that appeals and speaks to youth.
5. As part of the NYC's information campaign, the Commission will, within a week, will produce AIDS SURVIVAL INFORMATION BARRELS, which shall be distributed to scores of young people, with an aim of spreading messages that are youth friendly.
6. The Youth Information Service has been oriented to focus on young people who require information related to HIV/AIDS matters. Recently launched on the 15th June 1998, by the National Youth Commission, Youth Line (toll free - 0800 000 0001) and Youth Net (www.vis.co.za) aims to bridge the information gap among young people.
As part of the day's (December 01) proceedings will be a parade, unveiling of a Quilt, messages of support from His Majesty, King Zwelithini, the National and Provincial Governments, and the Youth Commissioners will provide the people of KwaZulu-Natal with information on the projected outcomes of the YPLA project.
For further details or comment please call Commissioner Pinky Kunene on 082 575 3982 or Promise Mthembu on 082 690 3223.
Issued by: The National Youth Commission