Daily 7000 new HIV girls!

7,000 young women become HIV-positive every day: UN

Date: Thursday, August 07, 2008
Source: The Press Trust of India

Expressing concern that over 7000 women become become HIV-positive everyday worldwide, the United Nations has called for enhancing women's access to sexual health services and commended India's efforts in controlling the spread of the disease.

"Girls and young women face double vulnerability, and double efforts are needed to protect them," Purnima Mane, Deputy Executive Director of UN Population Fund today said while releasing a guide "Make it Mat-ter," on measures to curb spread of virus among young girls.

In India, civil society organisations and activists contributed to the passing of the Prohibition of Child Mar-raige Act, which protects young women from early sexual relations that put them at risk of HIV infection, she said.

She also praised South Africa and Vietnam for their efforts against the spread of the disease.

The UN body also called for ending child marriage and provide increased socio-economic opportunities to young women to combat HIV/AIDS.

The guide is produced by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and Young Positives.

- TERUG -