CAPE TOWN, June 24 (Xinhua) -- South Africa on Friday launched an anti-AIDS campaign targeting girls and young women who have the highest rate of HIV infections in any age or gender category.
"The launch of this campaign - led by young people for young people - is an important milestone in our country's journey towards youth empowerment and the achievement of an AIDS-free generation," Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said at the launch ceremony in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal Province.
With a population of about 53 million, South Africa has an estimated 6.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS, the highest prevalence in the world. The country also has the largest antiretroviral treatment programme in the world.
Despite South Africa's remarkable success in saving lives through the provision of free treatment for people living with HIV and AIDS, it is estimated that nearly 2,000 girls and young women between the ages of 15 and 24 get infected by HIV in this country each week, according to Ramaphosa.
"This is highest rate of new HIV infections in any age or gender category.
"This is one of the highest rates in the world and is the reason that we are launching an ambitious and innovative campaign targeting this group of highly vulnerable young people," said Ramaphosa.
This innovative campaign aims to mobilise all sections of society to address five critical challenges facing young people, he said.
These challenges include the high number of new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women, high rates of teenage pregnancy, poor retention of learners in high schools, high rates of sexual and gender based violence, and high rates of youth employment.
The campaign seeks to build the confidence of women, build their resilience and unlock their strength and worth, Ramaphosa said.
He said the achievement of an AIDS-free generation requires a fundamental change in sexual behaviour, therefore this campaign will reach out to men.
"It will encourage men - both young and older - to use condoms, stick to one sexual partner and not to prey on younger girls and women.
"It will encourage men to play a central role in promoting safer sexual behaviour and in bringing an end to violence and abuse," Ramaphosa said.
Only a comprehensive multi-sectoral campaign at the level of the community will bring about this change, he said.
"All government departments will work with NGOs in the communities through our national, provincial and local AIDS councils to ensure this campaign succeeds," said Ramaphosa.
