Are You A Parent Or Between Age 15-19? Then, This Is A Must Read!

The fear of intimate partner violence has been shown to be an important barrier to the uptake of HIV testing and counseling services.

Studies have reported that about 75 percent of adolescents aged 15 to 19 do not have a final say in decisions about their own health.

Female adolescents face violence and violations of their human rights in health care settings, this further exacerbate adolescent girls vulnerability to HIV and undermine response to the epidemic.

There is a need for shift in mentality. Intimate partner violence is typically underpinned by dominant cultural and social norms about masculinity, femininity and sexuality. True strength and power is not by violence but influence.

Studies have shown that increasing educational achievement among adolescent girls is linked to better SRHR outcomes which include lower rates of HIV infections. Encourage adolescent girls to go to school.

Mandatory parental consent has been shown to deter adolescents from accessing vital HIV and SRH services due to fear of disclosure and violence. We need to fix this.

Let’s empower adolescents and young persons to claim their rights, enjoy healthy lives and take measures to protect themselves from HIV.

Make a commitment to stop new HIV infections among adolescents and young people and keep their young mothers alive.
Are you still wondering how gender based violence is related to HIV? It has been shown that victims of childhood sexual abuse are at risk of engaging in risky sexual behaviours.

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HIV/AIDS related stigmatization and discrimination can discourage people living with HIV from accessing HIV services, Stop it! #iSabiHIV

HIV/AIDS related stigmatization and discrimination can limit access of people living with HIV to education, counseling and treatment.

Stigma is a complex social issue with wide-reaching detrimental effects on our community. Let join hands to end Stigmatization against people living with HIV.

Stopping stigmatization and discrimination starts from the mind then to words which then translate to our actions. There are some statements that has stigma embedded in them.

Before you become the moral instructor, remember that sex is not the only means of contracting HIV.

Remember also that some individuals were raped and they got the virus in the process.
It is also important to know that having sex is not a crime. Do not discriminate against persons living with HIV.

Don’t say someone is suffering from HIV or call the person a victim or AIDS patient, you say the person is living with HIV. Be informed. We need to watch our language use.

Put yourself in some else’s shoes before pointing fingers. Getting to know their story will help you see their perspective. HIV is not a death sentence.

 
People who experience stigma and discrimination are marginalized and made more vulnerable to HIV, while those living with HIV are more vulnerable to experiencing stigma and discrimination.
Myths and misinformation increase the stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV and AIDS, stop spreading myths and unverified information.

Every human including people living with HIV has basic rights and privilege, do not deny them.