AHF Nigeria gears up for World AIDS Day

Commissioner for Women Affairs, Akwa Ibom State, Dr Ini Adiakpam with students of Aka Community Secondary School, Uyo, during the International Day for the Girl Child (IDGC) event organised by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria will on December 1, 2024, host a commemorative event to celebrate this year’s edition of World AIDS Day.

According to a statement issued by the foundation, the event will take place at the Water Fountain in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. It will focus on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and provide attendees with free AHF-branded condoms along with detailed education on condom use.

In addition to supporting the slogan “It’s Not Over” in the fight against HIV/AIDS, this year’s event aims to raise awareness, promote prevention, encourage testing and treatment, and rally support for those affected by HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and around the world.

A report from UNAIDS states that approximately 40 million people worldwide are living with HIV, with more than half being women and girls. Each year, about 1.3 million new infections are reported.

Stigma and discrimination can prevent individuals from seeking essential care, and many key populations face significant barriers to accessing treatment. This World AIDS Day event will highlight these challenges, underscoring the necessity of prioritising HIV/AIDS on national and global public health agendas.

AHF Nigeria’s World AIDS Day event will also feature strong radio programming across seven states: Abuja, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Kogi, Nasarawa, and the host state, Akwa Ibom. Youth groups will showcase their remarkable dancing and singing skills before key civil society actors and government officials.

“In Nigeria, AHF is particularly reinforcing the need to embrace comprehensive, age-appropriate Sexuality Education (CSE) to empower adolescents and young people with skills and knowledge to negotiate safer sexual behaviours, with the population being the most at risk to STIs, including HIV/AIDS,” said Dr. Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Program Director (CPD).

“On this World AIDS Day, we emphasise the urgent need to enhance HIV prevention efforts, particularly for young women and adolescent girls who are at significant risk, with around 4,000 new HIV infections recorded globally each week,” stated Dr. Penninah Iutung, AHF Africa Bureau Chief.

“With the introduction of innovative prevention tools—like the Dapivirine vaginal ring, Lenacapvir, PrEP, and PEP—our ability to halt new transmissions has never been greater. Nonetheless, we must also prioritize condoms, which are both effective and affordable yet still under-promoted,” the statement reads.