Over the past hour, we have heard how
the epidemic is developing and how we are responding to it. We have also
heard Mark Scott’s thought-provoking report on how many young people
perceive HIV/AIDS and how they deal with the risks and the reality of
living in communities hard-hit by the AIDS epidemic.
Before we end I would like to give this message to young people:
First of all: get the information you need.
Research and experience show that good quality sexual health
education programmes protect sexually active young people from HIV and
unwanted pregnancy. Contrary to popular myth, it does not lead to
earlier or increased sexual activity.
Evidence-based drug education can help young people to assess their
use of substances and risk of HIV associated with drug injection, and
curb or modify behaviour.
Certainly, we cannot withhold information from young people which may
save their lives.
Secondly: learn the skills you need to survive, and use them.
Life-skills education, which can be delivered by young people
themselves, can assist them to make sound decisions about sexual
relationships; cope with pressures for unwanted sex or drug use;
recognize risk situations; identify where and how to ask for help; and
to better understand and care for people living with HIV.
Third: seek counselling and advice if you have a problem
Counselling can assist young people in making healthier choices.
Counselling is particularly important for helping young people living
with HIV to cope with their lives and their illness.
Fourth: seek help from health services if and when you need it
This means that we need youth-friendly health facilities. They should
provide services that are affordable to young people, confidential and
non-judgemental. Services should offer voluntary counselling and HIV
testing, family planning advice, condoms and the information and means
for reducing HIV risks associated with drug injecting.
Lastly, get involved to mobilize your family and community to take
action
Young people need a safe and supportive environment that enables and
encourages them to adopt safer behaviours. They need sensitive parents
but also appropriate community and national level policies and
practices. Young people should demand and seize every opportunity to
participate in the development of these at every level.
Let us end by clearly realizing our responsibilities.
Young people can play a role in protecting themselves and helping to
create a safer environment and improved services for their peers.
But they cannot do it alone. It is we, the adults, and the
institutions that we create that have the political power and resources
to promote change. We must not let our young people down. Our advice is
empty if we do not strive to provide the conditions where such advice
can be followed. We must provide the means for young people to help
themselves.
Thank you
