Young people in the Central African Republic joined the rest of the world in celebrating World AIDS Day 2022. According to UNAIDS report 2022 young people are the most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, the African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) promotes human development program, which targets at least the youngest, to enable them to live their lives to the full and to contribute actively to building an AIDS-free society. The World AIDS Day 2022 was celebrated on Monday, December 05, 2022 in the Central African Republic. This commemoration was an opportunity to reflect on the international theme: “PUSH FOR EQUALITY”, but also the national theme: “End the transmission of HIV/AIDS among young girls and adolescents”. The ceremony took place in the presence of the President of the Republic H.E Pr Faustin Archange TOUADERA, at the Lycée des Martyrs in Bangui.

The good news, according to the AIDS committee, is that the prevalence rate of AIDS is going down. However, care is still somewhat disturbed and disproportionate. These inequalities will need to be bridged to end transmission through the underprivileged sections of our communities. The National Coordination for the Fight against HIV/AIDS (CN/CNLS), noted that during the year 2022 the figures experienced a significant drop with an unequal distribution on the national territory. According to the analyses, sex workers are the most affected (15%) by this pandemic. Bangui the capital and main city of the country is less affected with an infection rate of 2%. This calls for redoubled efforts in the fight against AIDS in the outskirts and in the remote regions of the CAR.

“Discrimination and stigmatization contribute to the spread of the virus, because discriminating or stigmatizing a patient does not encourage him to follow his treatment or to be tested” specifies NDOMA KETTE Kevin, leader of Club Info Santé 9 CIEE/CCU. This is why it is important to focus on raising awareness in order to reduce the rate of segregation in the country. He justifies. The CIEE-CCU through its 154 Peer Educators continue to raise awareness by all possible means. During the JMS 2022 ceremony, they raised awareness among participants using their awareness brochures and posters and local talks.

For his part, the President of the Republic is launching the national strategic plan to fight HIV/AIDS by 2030, which aims to eliminate discrimination and promote the push for equality as chosen as the theme for this year 2022. He urges the young stalwarts of emancipation in the CAR not only to realize the seriousness of the disease but also to stay in the momentum of the intellectual evolution of youth.

The presence of students and organizations and associations fighting against the AIDS pandemic at the Lycée des Martyrs testifies to the importance that the country attaches to the fight against this scourge.

The Peer Educators of the Center Catholique Universitaire who consist of a large mass of actors in the fight against HIV/AIDS in schools and academia, the fight against the disease requires: “awareness; action, perseverance; commitment and compassion”. They find themselves challenged more than ever in this educational year where building a happy generation requires their sense of compassion and their commitment.

Proud of their mission, the Peer Educators of the Catholic University Center were thanked by the President of the Republic for the efforts made by the Catholic University Center through its young people in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country.

Together we fight against HIV/AIDS in the Central African Republic and the stigmatization of people living with the virus.

“Let’s look at the world with optimism and compassion”

by,

BENAM SERVICE Stanislas Henry

Leader of the Health Info Club 8

and

Charles SOMDA, SJ

CIEE-CCU Coordinator