Introduction

Introduction

Lifeskills

Lifeskills

2008 Roundtable on Children's Participation

2008 Roundtable on Children's Participation

 

Lifeskills

© UNICEF photo by A Berther

Learners looking through the window of their classroom

The world’s 1.2 million young people are at the epicentre of the HIV and AIDS epidemic. This generation of young people are the largest in history and offers a unique window of hope in turning the tide against the epidemic. Every day, half of all new infections, between 5,000 and 6,000, occur amongst young people between the ages of 15 – 24. Most young people become sexually active in their teens. Although the majority have heard of AIDS, many still do not know how it is transmitted and do not believe that they are at risk. Many young people also lack the skills, support or means to adopt health seeking behaviour. In sub-Saharan Africa, only 8% of out-of-school youths have access to prevention services.

According to UNICEF, education is the best defence against HIV infection, a principle that is at the core of UNICEF South Africa’s education priorities.  HIV and AIDS education falls within the Safe Schools and Child Friendly Environment framework that UNICEF works in. Our aim is to strengthen partnerships that will increase access to and the quality of education on HIV and AIDS for both in- and out-of-school youth.

Girls are more susceptible to HIV infection; they are exposed to gender-based violence, they are often unsafe at schools, they often have to walk long distances alone from their homes to schools or they may engage in transactional sex due to their economic situation. It is therefore important to create safe spaces and child-friendly environments, to ensure a reduction in the HIV infection rates amongst girls, whilst ensuring that girls have access to education and remain in school. The difference in infection levels between boys and girls is extremely pronounced in sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from 20 young women for every 10 young men in South Africa, to 45 young women for every 10 young men in Kenya and Mali.

Through supporting the initiatives of the Government of South Africa, UNICEF strives to deliver creative and quality lifeskills education to young South Africans as well as capacitating educators and parents to create school-communities that are proactive and informed in challenging the multi-faceted impact of HIV and AIDS.