The emergence of COVID 19 in Wuhan China in November 2019 marked a new disorder in everyone's life. The lives of youths living with HIV have not been spared. Interventions that deal with discrimination and stigmatization, access to health services, adherence, mental health and meaningful youth participation have been affected largely by the manner of the government response to COVID 19. The HIV investment from 1992 will be wasted if the current situation is not looked at. Discrimination and Stigmatization Multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and structural inequality affect the lives of young people and increase their vulnerability to HIV. This has led to many youths failing to openly live with HIV despite living positively. The COVID19 pandemic poses a reminder on how our society treats a person infected by a virus tagged as a pandemic. A higher proportion of discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV was reported amongst the age groups of 15- 2...
Today as Real Agenda For Youth Transformation Trust we launch the "I Am A Registered Voter Campaign". The campaign seeks to show case voices among youths that are registered to vote. It also gives them the opportunity to tell Zimbabwe why voting is important to them. With this campaign we hope to inspire more youths to register to vote. As Zimbabwe Electoral Commission takes the Voter Registration Blitz, we want youths who are registered to vote to encourage their peers to do the same. Registering to vote amongst youths is partially fulfilling Section 20 of the Zimbabwean Constitution as well as political rights. The campaign can be followed on our social media platforms. Below are some Youth Voices on I Am A Registered Voter Campaign.
Zimbabwe is a nation that has celebrated the decline in HIV prevalence among its population. A number of progressive initiatives were taken to fight the epidemic. However, these strides were done by adults and at large for adults. This has created a big gap and challenge for young people especially those living with HIV. The progressive initiatives only lacked to target young people living with HIV and those affected with HIV. HIV prevalence for the nation has declined, however the story is not the same for among young people. Issues relating to Stigma and Discrimination, HIV myths, Inaccessible ARVs, Non Existence of PMTCT, Uncompassionate health staff and related trauma are the biggest barriers for young people living with HIV and stand as hindrance for HTC behavior among young people. This paper want to focus on the gaps that needs action informed by the past and the present situation for positive living among young people living with HIV. The first cases of AIDS in Zimbabwe we...