January 14, 2021
Young Heroes Commemorates World Aids Day
On December 1, Young Heroes held two spectacular events for World AIDS Day. The events were themed “Eswatini Ending AIDS in Solidarity by 2022: A Shared Responsibility” and were held at both the Mkhuzweni Health Centre in HhoHho and Nsuwansuku Sports Ground in Mhlume. Young Heroes recognized the significant milestones made over the past two decades with Eswatini taking a lead in the fight against HIV/AIDS while also acknowledging how poverty, unemployment, gender-based violence, and now COVID-19, all threaten to erode the gains made in the fight against HIV.
The two events were attended by Adolescents Living with HIV (ALHIV), Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW), community leaders, and health workers. Ms. Tiny Madau spoke on behalf of the AGYM saying they pledge to work hand-in-hand with the country to fight HIV/AIDS by 2022 and contribute to the 95-95-95 global HIV target. Ms. Madau said this would be achieved through the following:
- stopping intergenerational relationships that perpetuate the spread of HIV and gender-based violence,
- stopping multiple concurrent sexual partners by sticking to one partner,
- abstaining from sex until they are ready and able to negotiate condom usage, testing for HIV to know their status, and
- starting medication early if they test HIV positive.
Ms. Madau concluded on a hopeful note – sharing how Young Heroes’s WORTH savings and loan program has helped AGYW start their own small businesses and become financially independent.
Executive Director Mr. Khulekani Magongo said Young Heroes would continue to promote awareness and education on HIV and AIDS-related issues, including sexual reproductive health for adolescents and young people. He further urged ALHIV “to take their medication on time and daily, and to continuously conduct routine cancer screening and other chronic illnesses to avoid incidents of resistance and complications.”
Tags: AGYW, ALHIV, Eswatini, HIV/AIDS, World Aids Day 2020
