Source: South African Government
The Gauteng AIDS Council (GAC) which is a partnership between the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) and Civil Society Networks, local government, community based organisations like non-profit organisations (NPO) and non-governmental organisations (NGO) met earlier today to discuss priorities in stopping new HIV infections in the province and adopt a multi-sectorial plan for the financial year 2013/14 and beyond.
It is the intention and top priority of the Gauteng Provincial Government through the AIDS Council to keep people free from infections. Current statistics show that 84% of all youth and adults in the province are HIV-free.
The Council's two-pronged approach is premised on keeping those who do not already live with the virus free from being infected and ensuring that those who are HIV positive are provided with the necessary medical and social support to live long and productive lives.
Through the efforts of the women and men who work with the GAC, much has been done to educate our communities on the dangers of HIV, prevention and living a quality life with the virus.
The following are some of the achievements made in this financial year and the challenges faced:
New HIV infections in teenagers have been halved between 2002 and 2008 due to increased knowledge and safer sexual behaviours, which is getting more young people to delay engaging in sexual acts and, if they do - they use condoms.
Research has shown that condom use is highest among male teenagers at 80% "at last sex". This was achieved through families, life-skills training in schools and AIDS media campaigns. The Council has however noted that teenagers are still getting pregnant and infected with HIV as the statistics from the Teenage Pregnancy Colloquium held at the Turffontein Race Course yesterday showed. Reports indicate that some 4 200 girls in Gauteng schools were pregnant between 2008 - 2011
The highest rate of new HIV infections is in young women that are between the ages of 15 to 29. About half of young women have transactional sexual relationships with men who are 5 years or older than them. The inequality in these relationships undermines women's ability to protect themselves from HIV and pregnancy with condoms and family planning.
Unemployment, low skills and poverty drive many young women into sexual relationships where they depend on their partner for income and accommodation. But some women choose these relationships to increase their social and financial status.
The Council's new focus is on men - especially adult men who have sex with teenagers and young women. Too many men think it is "normal" to have sexual relationships with young girls and women. These men have higher HIV infection rates and the risks are even higher when alcohol is involved. Condom use in this age group is poor however our HIV testing campaign shows that 66% of men tested.
Gender-based violence, coupled with Inter-generational sex also increase HIV infections in young women and a percentage of boys. Rape of babies, children and the elderly is a shocking development which is criminal in nature.
Efforts by key departments
Education
The Gauteng Department of Education will continue to provide life skills training through schools with extra activities like peer education in the schools with higher risks. Life skills training are being strengthened with greater involvement of parents and communities;
Health
The Department of Health will again focus on preventing HIV in babies through services for pregnant women and leads the HIV testing and TB screening campaign. Family planning is being scaled up, nurses are visiting more schools and women are motivated to start antenatal care before four months of pregnancy to reduce the risks of HIV in pregnancy;
The Health Department is continuing with promoting the Gauteng Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and Sexually Transmitted Infections and will be targeting unemployed youth and youth in education institutions until the end of this month. From April to June the focus of the campaign will be on treatment and testing and families will be targeted with message driven by people living with HIV and Aids, the faith sector and people caring for the HIV infected.
Social Development
The Social Development Department will in the 2013/14 financial year again lead social support and services for orphans and vulnerable children including life skills for teenagers. Social problems can result in girls starting sex early and having more sex partners. Boys need more support from fathers and father figures.
Community Safety
Drug abuse is an increasing problem being addressed with involvement of Community Safety, South African Police Service (SAPS) and communities. The matter will again be receiving priority this coming financial year. The Council will establish more Thuthuzela Centres in an effort to increases access and services for people that have been violated by working closely with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to increase conviction rates and counselling therapy.
Local Government
Municipalities will drive civic education in wards on large scale targeting young women, informal settlements and hot spots like taverns, clubs that often host sex workers.
Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture (SRAC)
The community and school sports programmes led by SRAC, will again be at the forefront of building awareness about healthy lifestyles, including safe sex and development of life skills.
Roads and Transport
The transport sector has higher HIV risks, especially for long distance drivers - including taxi drivers. Awareness campaigns condom distribution at trucking centres will again be the focus this coming financial year.
The role of civil society
Civil Society Networks including NGO and NPO will develop sectorial plans that are aligned to the Gauteng 5 Year HIV/AIDS and TB Strategy to conceptualize a comprehensive implementation plan.
The sector will also assist the collection of data and compilation of Reports that could be used for intervention and preventative strategies. The sector will have immediate access to communities where Thuthuzela Centres are not available by making use of Primary Health Care Centres that may be a primary source of data and information
The sector will also identify and create the face of youth sectors to communicate messages and campaigns that will accelerate the fight against HIV and AIDS infections
In intensifying the fight against HIV/AIDS, Premier Mokonyane stated unequivocally that, "the greatest tragedy in modern society is the total disregard of humane value. Obsession with sex across the board has devalued our core existence and blinded mankind to no longer seeing or knowing the right time for sexual engagement.
In the process, communities especially young women and children constantly lie at risk of high HIV infections that threaten the sustainability of our nation and further the growth and development of our socio-economic potential as a province that bears a huge responsibility in Sub Saharan and continental Africa. We therefore need an all-hands-on-deck approach to curb and fight the spread of HIV in ways that are innovative, result oriented and progressive".
Issued by: Gauteng Office of the Premier