News Editor
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
As the nation marks the 2024 World AIDS Day (WAD), a Non Governmental Organization NGO, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria, has stressed the need to embrace Comprehensive age-appropriate Sexuality Education (CSE), to empower adolescents and young people with skills and knowledge to negotiate safer sexual behaviors.
AHF Nigeria, Country Program Director (CPD), Dr. Echey Ijezie, stated this in a statement signed by the Marketing and Advocacy Manager for AHF, Steve Aborishade and made available to newsmen on Saturday.
Ijezie said the approach was necessary because adolescents and young people belongs to the population that are most at risk to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS.
‘’In Nigeria, AHF is particularly reinforcing the need to embrace Comprehensive age-appropriate Sexuality Education (CSE), to empower adolescents and young people with skills and knowledge to negotiate safer sexual behaviors, with the population being the most at risk to STIs including HIV/AIDS.” Ijezies said.
AHF Africa Bureau Chief, Dr. Penninah Iutung, also harped the urgent need to enhance HIV prevention efforts, particularly for young women and adolescent girls who are at significant risk, with around 4,000 new HIV infections recorded globally each week.
Dr Iutung said “On this World AIDS Day, we emphasize the urgent need to enhance HIV prevention efforts, particularly for young women and adolescent girls who are at significant risk, with around 4,000 new HIV infections recorded globally each week.”
He also stressed the need to prioritize condoms saying “With the introduction of innovative prevention tools like the Dapivirine vaginal ring to Lenacapvir, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), the ability to halt new transmissions has never been greater.”
AHF Africa Bureau Chief also noted that increased funding for HIV/AIDS, community-led initiatives, and favorable policies to fight stigma and discrimination remain crucial for expanding access to prevention and treatment, especially for at-risk groups and in the global effort to control AIDS.
The Organization, in the statement titled “It’s Not Over until AIDS is Defeated” said it will host a commemorative event at the Water Fountain, by Nwaniba street roundabout, in the city center of Uyo, Akwa Ibom state on December 2, 2024.
“Comprehensive Sexuality Education(CSE) shall be the thrust of the gathering, as we also provide free AHF branded condoms with detailed condom education to the people.
“The commemoration is to signify that “It’s Not Over” in the fight against HIV/AIDS, while raising the needed awareness, promote prevention, testing, and treatment, and rally support to all those affected by HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and globally.
“Despite decades of progress, around 40 million people globally are living with HIV, more than half of whom are women and girls, with approximately 1.3 million new infections reported each year, according to UNAIDS.
“Stigma and discrimination continue to keep individuals from seeking essential care, and many key populations face substantial barriers to accessing treatment.
“This World AIDS Day event will spotlight these challenges, emphasizing the need to keep HIV/AIDS a priority on national and global public health agendas.
“AHF Nigeria’s World AIDS Day event will include a strong radio programming across the seven states of Abuja, Anambra, Benue, Cross river, Kogi, Nasarawa and Akwa Ibom, which also hosts the main public ceremony as youth groups will be displaying their fabulous dancing and singing skills in the presence of key Civil Society actors and government officials.”
