AIDS is not over and it’s time to remove the barriers around access to HIV testing, treatment, care and support once and for all—these were the messages from an event hosted by Sentebale and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on 10 July.
Sentebale, which is Sesotho for “Forget me not”, supports young people living with and affected by HIV by making sure that they are not forgotten. Sentebale was co-founded by Prince Harry, who attended the event, entitled Let Youth Lead.
The event, chaired by the Director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Peter Piot, was held in London, United Kingdom, and brought together global and regional decision-makers in the AIDS response to discuss the barriers that prevent young people in southern Africa from getting tested for HIV.
UNAIDS is working with countries to achieve the commitment in the 2016 United Nations Political Declaration on Ending AIDS of ensuring that 90% of young people have the skills, knowledge and capacity to protect themselves from HIV and have access to sexual and reproductive health services by 2020, in order to reduce the number of new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women to below 100 000 per year.
“HIV needs to be treated exactly the same as any other disease, and between us hopefully we can eradicate the stigma and give these young people an opportunity to stand up and say, I’ve lived it. I want to come forward and make a difference.”
Prince Harry
“I want to give a sense of hope that there is still life if you are HIV-positive. I have a vision of keeping the next generation alive.”
Kananelo Khalia Youth Advocate, Sentebale
“We need listen to young people and understand what they are going through. Their experiences remind us that we must work together as a global health community, allowing all young people—whatever their HIV status—to lead healthy, happy and productive lives.”
Peter Piot Director, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
"It is young people themselves that are best placed to inform the HIV response on how to tackle the pending gaps and challenges that affect them. Their participation is not only a matter of inclusiveness, but of the response's effectiveness and sustainability. Initiatives such as Sentebale pioneered by Prince Harry are essential to show how important it is that young people keep being supported, resourced and empowered in their leadership role."
Luiz Loures Deputy Executive Director, UNAIDS
