Ladakh Youth Ambassador for AIDS Awareness
Why this campaign?
Despite immense progress on scaling up global response, great challenges remain. Young people are the group most vulnerable to acquiring HIV infection. Almost half of all new HIV infections in the world are among people under 25. Estimates show that more than 7,400 people become infected with HIV daily, 3,300 of whom are young people. Globally, 5.4 million young people are living with HIV. Young women under age 25 are at an even greater risk for HIV infection and comprise 57.4% of infected youth. Young people remain the most vulnerable group to HIV infection due to many factors, including lack of information, education, societal influences, and inability to access healthcare services.
With the aim of slowing the spread of HIV, the 2011 Political Declaration calls on all countries to encourage and support the active involvement of and leadership by young people in the global, regional, national and local responses. Particular steps are needed to ensure robust participation by young people in community based responses.
Young people remain at the centre of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in terms of rates of infection, vulnerability, impact, and potential for change. They have grown up in a world changed by AIDS but many still lack comprehensive and correct knowledge about how to prevent HIV infection. This situation persists even though the world has agreed that young people have the human right to education, information and services that could protect them from harm.
Young people are disproportionately affected in the HIV pandemic. They face the economic and social impact of HIV/AIDS on families, communities, and nations, and they must be at the centre of prevention actions. Where young people are well informed of HIV risks and prevention strategies, they are changing their behaviour in ways that reduces their vulnerability. For example, in several countries, targeted education has led to delayed sexual debut and increased use of condoms resulting in a decrease in HIV prevalence in young people. Yet efforts to increase HIV knowledge among young people remain inadequate.
Looking for partnership
LSA is looking for partnership with the LAHDC and NGOs so that it can be an innovative Youth-Adult partnership programme involving young people in HIV prevention efforts. We appreciate interested organisations support this youth initiative. If you are interested, please do contact the following executives of the LSA.
“Coming together is beginning, keeping together is progress and working together is success”
