According to a recently released report by UNICEF, young women and girls are more than twice as likely to contract HIV compared to young men and boys. The report reveals that in 2022, nearly 98,000 adolescent females worldwide tested positive for the virus. Although this number is a decrease from the 2010 statistics, which accounted for 47% of HIV infections among this age group, it still highlights the role of cultural attitudes, gender discrimination, and socioeconomic factors in the spread of HIV among women aged 10 to 19, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
The report also highlights that adolescents in general make up a significant portion of the global population living with HIV. In 2022, approximately 1.7 million adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 were living with HIV, accounting for nearly 4% of all people living with the virus and about 10% of new HIV cases. However, the statistics concerning young women and girls are disproportionately high compared to the overall population.
The report states that every day, 384 females between the ages of 10 and 19 test positive for HIV worldwide. The majority of HIV-positive children aged 0 to 14 (87%) and HIV-positive adolescents aged 10 to 19 (82%) reside in sub-Saharan Africa, where the population of young women faces a higher risk. Dr. Monica Gandhi, a professor of medicine, attributes this disparity to the increased vulnerability of adolescent girls and young women to forced sex and economic circumstances that may lead them to engage in transactional sex. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these economic conditions, pushing more young women into risky situations. Dr. Gandhi emphasizes that most young women’s risk factors for HIV are not their own, but those of their partners.
The report also highlights the influence of patriarchal dynamics in perpetuating the spread of HIV among women. Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine, explains that women worldwide face stigma and limited access to testing and treatment compared to men. He points out that infected men often transmit the virus to women who then face barriers in receiving comprehensive testing and treatment.
Despite significant advances in HIV treatment, access to combination therapies remains a major obstacle, especially for children. The report reveals that in 2022, four out of ten infants with HIV missed timely diagnosis, and nearly half of the 1.5 million children living with HIV were not receiving antiretroviral treatment. While there are effective treatments available, challenges such as the availability of pediatric formulations and the consistency of treatment pose hurdles in providing adequate care to children.
Cultural stigma surrounding HIV also contributes to the problem. The report indicates that in 54 surveyed countries, a median of 59% of people held discriminatory attitudes toward people living with HIV. UNICEF aims to reduce this percentage to 10% by 2025 through awareness-raising efforts and the implementation of programs and policies.
Addressing these disparities requires a multifaceted approach, including raising awareness, improving access to testing and treatment, and challenging societal norms and attitudes. Efforts must be made at the country, societal, and institutional levels to ensure that comprehensive programs and policies are put in place to combat the spread of HIV among young women and girls.
