HIV/AIDS
34 million people worldwide have HIV/AIDS. In 2010, 2.7 million people were newly infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and 1.8 million people died from Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Infected people – almost 23 million – live almost exclusively in sub-Saharan Africa and most of them are between 15 and 24 years old (more >).
HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health and rights are closely connected. In both cases prevention plays a leading part. DSW provides contraceptives and information about sexual and reproductive health and rights. We help during and after pregnancy, offer treatments for sexual transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and empower women and girls to make them less vulnerable.
Thus, even more can be done by bringing together political authorities in European and international conferences and workshops. In our advocacy work, we direct political and public attention to signed contributions as well as to commitments such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Shujaa: Comprehensive HIV Prevention Services for Most-At-Risk Populations (MARPs) in Kenya
Shujaa uses a rights-based approach to improve the social, economic and political structures and systems that affect MARPs. It supports the development, review, and implementation of National HIV prevention guidelines, policies, and legislation and trains service providers to ensure “MARP-friendly” centres and services.
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Youth Response to HIV Prevention: Building Capacity to Benefit Youth in Uganda
Uganda has made great strides in raising awareness about HIV. However, knowledge among adolescents is not comprehensive and too frequently it does not translate into positive behaviour change. DSW has worked in six districts of Uganda since 2008 to address this situation. The project’s overall goal is to contribute to a 25 per cent reduction in the rate of new HIV infections among youth. In order to accelerate prevention of sexual transmission of HIV among youth (aged 10 – 24 years),
DSW's Youth-to-Youth Initiative: Empowering Young People to Lead a Healthy Life
In order to address the multi-faceted needs of young people, DSW has developed “Youth-to-Youth” (Y2Y), a comprehensive programme designed to improve the sexual and reproductive health of young people by young people. Unlike many other sexual education projects, Y2Y embodies the belief that young people themselves are key actors in their own development, not simply beneficiaries and, as such, can themselves help find solutions to their problems. Y2Y is thus built on principles of active participation, gender equity and respect of local cultural, traditional and religious values, utilising existing resources and flexibility.
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