HIV/AIDS and Children

Issues

Blood is processed for an HIV test at The Centre for Treatment, Activities and Counselling for People Living with HIV/AIDS (CESAC) in the town of Mopti.

Mali has a relatively low HIV/AIDS prevalence, estimated at 1.3 per cent of the general population, as of 2006. UNICEF Mali collaborates closely with the Government, UNAIDS and local partners to reduce this rate even further.

HIV prevalence in Mali is estimated at (according to EDSM-IV- 2006 data):
• 0.7% among youths aged 15-24 years;
• 1.1% among persons aged 20-24 years;
• 0.5% among persons aged 15-19 years;
• 1.3% of the population;
• On the whole, the HIV/AIDS infection rate is higher among young women than young men, and stands at 0.9% and 0.5% respectively;
• Youths and adolescents are more at risk and vulnerable to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The National High Council for AIDS Control (HCNLS), chaired by the President of the Republic of Mali and an Executive Secretariat, has worked proactively in Mali since its inception in 2003.

The National Youth Conference of Mali and the First West African Young Leaders Forum of the United Nations for Achievement of the MDGs and HIV/AIDS prevention was hosted in Bamako in June and July 2009. These national and international meetings were strongly supported by UNICEF, highlighting the engagement in Mali and the West African sub-region with respect to various issues facing youth, including HIV/AIDS.

In response to key recommendations from these meetings, a Strategic Plan and a National HIV/AIDS Prevention Plan for Youth and Adolescents were implemented countrywide.

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