On World AIDS Day 2017, UNFPA TCO staff and AfriYAN (African Youth and Adolescent Network) representatives gathered to hold a candlelit vigil to acknowledge the impact HIV/AIDS is having on adolescent girls and young women in Tanzania. Today, 68 girls will be newly-infected with the virus. Staff and AfriYAN representatives lit 68 candles; one candle to remind us of every girl whose life will be impacted today.

At the event, UNFPA Assistant Representative Christine Mwanukuzi-Kwayu reflected on the meaning and symbolism of a candle:

“Candles can depict sorrow, but also happiness. They bring light where there is darkness. As much as this day we remember those who have passed away and those who are infected, we also have the courage to stand; to prevent, and to protect ourselves and those who need protection”.

“On World Aids Day UNFPA stands firm in its commitment to protect those who need protection”, Ms. Mwanukuzi-Kwayu said.

Petrider Baul, a member of UNFPA Youth advisory panel and AfriYAN, spoke on the need for HIV response to include education:

“On World Aids Day, I stand with other girls, in Tanzania and across the world. So many infections are happening and this can all be prevented if girls and communities are educated”.

In Tanzania, like much of Eastern and Southern Africa, girls and young women are twice as likely as boys and young men of the same age group to contract the virus. This vulnerability to HIV is driven by gender inequality, including GBV, which limits girls’ ability to make safe choices about their sexual and reproductive health.

Young people’s vulnerability to HIV is exacerbated by lack of access to comprehensive rights-based sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, and by exclusion from decision-making processes.

UNFPA Tanzania’s Response

 UNFPA HIV prevention efforts are designed to reach vulnerable girls and young women with the information and services they need to stay safe.

UNFPA has worked with the Ministry of Youth to produce a life skills education manual for out-of-school youth, which helps us to reach the most vulnerable adolescent girls and young women. Life skills education is critical to equip young people with the skills and knowledge to make decisions about their sexual and reproductive health, which will empower them to protect their health, well-being, and dignity.

UNFPA supports the development of Youth-Friendly Services (YFS), a comprehensive package of services including: access to SRH information, safe and affordable contraceptives, sensitive counselling, quality obstetric and antenatal care for pregnant girls, and prevention and management of STIs, including HIV. UNFPA has supported the Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) to strengthen comprehensive condom programming to ensure adolescents and young people have access to condoms to protect themselves and prevent HIV and STI transmission.  

UNFPA also works with the Ministry of Health and TACAIDS to ensure girls and young women who are already infected with HIV can exercise their sexual and reproductive health rights. Our work on HIV and SRH integration means that adolescents and young people who are living with HIV have improved access to information and services, including family planning. 

Promoting youth leadership and participation is key to UNFPA Tanzania’s work. UNFPA supports AfriYAN and other youth networks which enable young people to develop the skills, knowledge, and support they need to make informed decisions about their bodies, lives, families, communities, and country.