‘More needs to be done to decrease the high number of young women contracting HIV’

Civil society forum, the South African National Aids Council (Sanac), says while the decrease in HIV infections is highly welcomed, more need to be done to decrease the gap that remains high among youth, especially young women.

On Monday, a Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) study on HIV prevalence in the country, revealed that the highest prevalence of HIV in the country is among women between the ages of 15 to 29.

The council also revealed that there is a decrease in the percentage of people living with HIV, which has dropped to 12.7% in 2022 from 14% in 2017.

Sanac spokesperson, Nelson Dlamini, says the decrease is proof that the organisation’s interventions, which are the biggest in the world, are working.

 

#Keready, a movement dedicated to youth health, has also weighed in, saying they are concerned with the inequalities in HIV rates, which show that young woman faces a higher infection rate.

Dr Siyanda Mgangato says is encouraging young people to have safe sex, by continuing to use condoms during intercourse.

The latest report by the Human Sciences Research Council comes just a few days ahead of World Aids Day, which is observed on the 1st of December every year.

The event serves as a reminder of the global struggle to end HIV-related stigma. It is also an opportunity to honour those the country has lost to the pandemic.

This year’s theme for World AIDS Day is “World AIDS Day 35: Remember and Commit.”

Over the past 35 years, much has been achieved, from educating people about this virus, to breaking stigmas and activists being bold in their fight against it being a conversation that is had in secret.

The medical fraternity has also over the years achieved significant progress, from its advancements in medical research, and increased access to treatment, among others.