HIV/Aids
Every child lives without discrimination from HIV/AIDS and with the right to development and participation
The Challenge
Under this umbrella programme, there is also mental health and psychosocial support, sexual and reproductive health information, and GBV interventions. On the other hand, the situation of low participation of AYP can be greatly improved by creating policy frameworks and platforms that allow adolescents to meaningfully engage and participate in policy, programmes, and activities that affect them and their communities.
The first priority is advocating for evidence-based legislation, policies, plans, and budgets in support of these integrated services, particularly for adolescent girls and young women, and those with disabilities and/or who live in humanitarian contexts.
Second, efforts focus on strengthening the capacity of service providers in delivering these integrated services, including pediatric HIV and mother-to-child-transmission-elimination services. UNICEF leverages delivery platforms within Health (and related) sectors, strengthening institutional capacity, and increasing demand for HIV prevention.
Third, UNICEF promotes adolescent-friendly services through the Health, Education, and social welfare systems to reach adolescents with information, life skills, and services. Interventions focus on strengthening service providers’ capacity to offer comprehensive and integrated adolescent-friendly services; addressing negative perceptions and attitudes towards adolescents; scaling up the number of ‘community adolescent treatment supporters’; mentoring mothers programs and using innovation and digital platforms to help in strengthening all of these.
Key Objectives in Brief
Improve engagement and participation of adolescents in matters affecting them
- Improve access and utilisation of quality, integrated SRH/HIVGBV/MHPSS prevention, treatment and care services by mothers and their infants, children and adolescents
- Advocate for legislation, policies, plans and budgets in support of integrated services
- Stronger focus and policies for adolescent young women; children and adolescents with disabilities and particularly those living in humanitarian situations
- Strengthen the capacity of all institutions and service providers in this field
- Address negative perceptions towards adolescents and make services more friendly
- Bring innovation and digital platforms in to help in strengthening all of these plans
UNICEF in Numbers
- Of Zimbabwe’s population of 15 million, 54% are under the age of 20
- 1/3 of all new HIV infections are in Adolescents and Youth People (15-24yrs)
- 13% adult-HIV prevalence
- 90% maternal antiretroviral treatment (ART) coverage
- 8% mother-to-child-transmission rate, which is still high
- AIDS is a principal cause of non-neonatal child deaths
- Paediatric ART coverage is low
- Adolescent girls and young women are twice as likely to contract HIV than males
- Only 26% of the population access HIV-prevention programmes
- Stigma prevents adolescents accessing HIV/sexual reproductive health services
- There is limited space for meaningful participation of adolescents in decision-making. Their views are seldom heard or acted upon