Despite considerable advances in the global response to HIV/AIDS over the past three decades, young women and adolescent girls in Africa “are still being left behind,” according to a new joint report by the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU).
Just two years ago at the AU Special Summit on “Abuja Actions toward the elimination of HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in Africa by 2030,” member states noted with satisfaction the progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria since 2000.
The summit also expressed satisfaction with the strengthening of health systems, which resulted in saving lives, enhanced productivity, and better quality of life continentwide.
But the new report showed that the commitment of African leaders to eliminate these scourges is not backed up with action and funding.
AIDS-related illnesses remain the leading cause of death among girls and women of reproductive age on the continent.
Up to 74 per cent of new HIV infections among African adolescents in 2013 were among adolescent girls, the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said.
Young women and adolescent girls acquire HIV on average five to seven years earlier than young men, and in some countries in the region, HIV prevalence among this population can be as much as seven times that of their male counterparts.
“In the absence of a vaccine, ending gender-based violence, keeping girls in school and empowering young women and adolescent girls are the best options we have available,” said Sheila Tlou, UNAIDS Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa.
UNAIDS and the AU have jointly launched a report entitled ‘Empower young women and adolescent girls: Fast-Tracking the end of the AIDS epidemic in Africa’ to help guide advocacy and inform political dialogue on HIV prevention and treatment among young women and adolescent girls.
The document outlines three political commitments to advance the rights and empowerment of this demographic to help fast-track an AIDS response firmly rooted in gender equality and social justice.
The commitments are to stop new HIV infections among young women and adolescent girls in order to ensure that AIDS is no longer the leading cause of death among adolescents; empower young women and adolescent girls through comprehensive sexuality education; and prevent HIV infections among children and keep their mothers alive.
“As we work with our communities, our networks, our health service providers and our governments, we must commit to demanding a comprehensive focus on young women in the AIDS response,” advocated Rosemary Museminali, UNAIDS Representative to the AU.