A new campaign called #Live2LUV aims to promote information on sexual and reproductive health, including HIV, among young people in South-East Asian countries. UNAIDS, along with regional networks of young people, Youth Lead and Youth Voices Count, and the United Nations Children’s Fund and the United Nations Population Fund, launched the campaign during the four-day Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Youth Summit in Manila, Philippines, which ends on 29 April.
“The #Live2LUV campaign will help to inspire, promote and educate young people on sexual and reproductive health and rights and HIV, as well as reduce stigma towards young key populations in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region,” said Junelyn Tabelin of Youth LEAD.
In the Asia and Pacific region, young people (15–24 years old) account for 37% of new HIV infections. Data show that young people from key populations are at even higher risk of HIV infection than their older counterparts. For example, in Thailand, among young gay men and other men who have sex with men HIV prevalence is 11%, compared with 8.3% among gay men and other men who have sex with men who are 25 years and older.
According to behavioural studies in eight countries, comprehensive knowledge of HIV is low in many South-East Asian countries.
“I didn’t have the right information on HIV and I didn’t know how to protect myself,” said Relly Manlapaz, a 17-year-old transgender woman, who participated in a UNAIDS session at the youth summit. “Before joining the HIV advocacy work, I used to believe that one could get HIV through mosquito bites and by sharing utensils with someone living with HIV,” she added.
The #Live2LUV campaign will use social media to disseminate information on HIV prevention and treatment, and will encourage an enabling environment for young key populations with messages encouraging understanding, acceptance and zero discrimination.
The regional partners will work with local organizations in each of the 10 ASEAN countries to clear up misunderstanding about HIV and provide information in a youth-friendly manner. The campaign will cover different key HIV themes, as well as create a forum for young people to share their stories. A platform has been developed to host all the campaign materials and resources at www.hivandyouth.org. The eight-month-long social media campaign will culminate on World AIDS Day and will garner support from celebrities and influencers on social media.
UNAIDS is working with countries to ensure that, by 2020, 90% of young people have the skills, knowledge and capacity to protect themselves from HIV and have access to sexual and reproductive health services.
