WORLD AIDs DAY – A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.

Today, as we commemorate World AIDS Day, I would like to draw your attention to the importance of addressing young people’s needs in the fight against AIDS. Around the world, young people ages 15-25 account for more than 30% of the new HIV infections.

Despite these startling statistics, youth are often a neglected group for HIV/AIDS efforts globally. Being able to access HIV prevention services when they are young is an essential step. Earlier diagnosis and linkages of HIV positive youth to care and treatment improves their quality of life and reduces their risk of passing the virus onto others.

The COVID -19 pandemic has negatively affected the progress that the world has made in health and overall development so far. This is firstly because people that have serious underlying medical conditions like HIV might be at an increased risk of severe illness once they get infected withCOVID -19 due to a weakened immune system. Secondly, the health machinery and resources used in the fight against HIV are now being used in the fight againstCOVID-19.

With the existence of colliding pandemics of COVID-19 and HIV, we must fight for the right to health. At this critical moment, we call upon governments to invest fully in the health sector.

The youth must have their human rights fully respected since they are often a neglected group in the fight against HIV globally.

On this World AIDS Day, I therefore stand in solidarity and call upon all of us to support youth led initiatives, organizations and networks, particularly of young people living with HIV, young key populations and young women, to advocate and mobilize effectively for social change and justice to end AIDS.

LINDA ATUHAIRE,
PRESIDENT OF THE YOUTH BARAZA.