Ruby Rabiu
5 January 2009
Experts have said that insufficient information and counseling about HIV/AIDS has left many youths exposed to and infected by the virus.
Statistics from the data base of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reveal that about 6000 young people get infected by the disease every day with a majority of such cases coming from Sub Saharan Africa.
An adviser with the UNFPA on HIV prevention among young persons, Mrs Aderonke Sodeinde says there is wild spread of the virus because youths are not being adequately empowered with knowledge and information to handle it.
The UNFPA HIV adviser pointed out that not providing youths with enough information on the virus has left many unsuspecting youths infected.
Speaking during a workshop organized by the UNFPA to educate journalists on the need to provide ample information to youths, Sodeinde lamented that one of the leading factors working against youths is that they are not considered important in decision making and implementation and so are left to cater for themselves.
She added that for the virus to be tackled successfully, the youths need to be involved in all policies that concern them so as to get them interested in living positive life.
She said, "There are two issues I want to point out which are making young people very vulnerable to the HIV/AIDS virus, and that is lack of information and Knowledge, which has made them easy target to the virus. Secondly, older people do not think or see them as responsible human beings, so it is wrong if the thinking of your society is that you don't have anything to contribute, that you are not wanted or valued. Adults need to partner with young people, and there should be information overload to assist them make the right decision."
She called for drastic measures to salvage the situation and save the lives of youths.
She revealed that 3.6 million people are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria as at 2005, and that over 60% of all new HIV infections occur among young people.
This, she said, is unacceptable and dangerous to any society that is developing.
Speaking on what happened in Dakar, Sodeinde said, 'The Dakar experience gave young people ample opportunity to address issues as the issues affect them and also a chance to be facilitators."
The programme had capacity building sessions meant to enhance the youths to be better programmers and live better positive lives.
Also the issue of leadership was a key factor at this conference in which advocacy plans were discussed on ways to gain government attention.
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