“The reason for hope is that medical treatment is demonstrating its effectiveness.

“The big challenge lies in enabling people who are affected by AIDS to be independent. The unintentional failure of many parents living with HIV, to take responsibility for their children’s education, makes the entire family vulnerable and impacts all society.

“Another big challenge is access to prevention and health promotion among young people aged between 14 and 24 – we all know this is the most vulnerable age group. Further, if we truly want to strengthen women, especially young women, then self-sufficiency must be enhanced through education and income-generating activities. This will do much to enhance prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among vulnerable young women.”