The fight against AIDS is far from over - adolescents especially at risk

Per hour, 30 minors become infected with the HI virus

UNICEF recently published a report on the current situation of the global AIDS epidemic. Although the public interest in the disease is falling more and more, the virus is anything but defeated. According to the report, 30 teenagers are newly infected with the dangerous virus every hour. Two-thirds of new infections among minors affect girls.

The UNICEF report points to the devastating effects of HI viruses, which still have massive repercussions. According to the report, there were 130,000 AIDS deaths worldwide in 2017 in the under-19 age group alone. In addition, there were 430,000 new infections among minors. The report "Women: at the Heart of the HIV Response for Children" can be viewed free of charge on the website of UNICEF.

According to the current UNICEF Refort, the fight against HIV and AIDS is far from over. Especially among minors under 19, the virus spreads strongly. Young girls are especially hard hit. They represent two-thirds of new infections. (Image: dr322 / fotolia.com)

Underage girls are the hardest hit

As the report shows, two-thirds of new infections in adolescents are female. "In most countries, girls and women have less access to information, health services, or just not enough power to say no to unprotected sex," UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said in a press release on the report. HIV infection spread the most among the most vulnerable, leaving teenage girls at the heart of the crisis.

A crisis of self-determination

"This is a health crisis, but also a crisis of self-determination," said Fore. She fears that HIV and AIDS may become more widespread again if the next generation is not reached through prevention and aid programs. This would neutralize the progress made in recent decades in the fight against sexual illness.

Overall, the number of deaths fell - but not among young people

The report shows that since 2010, AIDS deaths have been falling. However, this does not count for the number of AIDS deaths among adolescents. There was no decline according to UNICEF. Already in the age group between 15 and 19 years, about 1.2 million young people would live with the infection. About 720,000 of those affected are girls.

Poverty, ignorance, forced sex

"The epidemic among girls and young women is mainly promoted by early or forced sexual contacts," report the UNICEF experts. Young girls still do not have the power to determine their sexuality in many places. Added to this would be poverty and lack of access to confidential counseling and testing opportunities.

More independence for women

"We need to make sure girls and women can economically take care of themselves so they do not have to prostitute," said Angelique Kidjo, singer and UNICEF ambassador. In addition, better access to medicines and services should be established. Kidjo argues that, above all, better education among girls should be provided for to empower youthful women worldwide.

prevention programs

With a number of initiatives in 25 countries with the highest proportion of HIV-infected adolescents, the aid organization UNICEF wants to reduce the high number of new infections among minors. For example, a prevention program aims to prevent infected mothers from transmitting the virus to their children. With this and other measures, the number of mother-to-child transfers is already declining. According to the report, the number of infected newborns decreased by one third between 2010 and 2017.

The fight is far from over

"Women are most affected by this epidemic - by the sheer number of people infected and as primary carers for their sick relatives," summarizes Henrietta Fore. Women must be given special attention in the fight against AIDS - they must be the focus. This fight is far from over, according to the executive director. (Vb)