As part of the World AIDS Day 2025 Commemoration, St. Maximillian Kolbe Catholic Church, Naivasha Prison (command), Kenya hosted a two-day Youth Seminar on HIV and AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) on 9th and 10th December 2025. The seminar brought together 24 young people in a safe and engaging space to learn, reflect, and deepen their understanding of sexual health, prevention, and responsible decision-making.

The seminar was facilitated by Catechist Kennedy Barasa from Naivasha Maximum Prison and Catechist Monica Kirubi from Our Lady of Sorrows Kinungi Parish, under the coordination of Lilian Waweru. Their sessions combined factual knowledge with practical insights, encouraging open dialogue and active participation among the youth.

Remembering the Journey: The History of HIV and AIDS

The training began with a reflection on the history of HIV and AIDS, tracing its emergence in the early 1980s and its rapid global spread. Participants learned how HIV weakens the immune system and how, over the years, advances in treatment have transformed HIV from a fatal illness into a manageable condition for those with access to proper care and medication.

Understanding HIV Transmission: Breaking Myths and Stigma

Participants were guided through the modes of HIV transmission, including unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles, unsafe blood transfusions, and mother-to-child transmission. Equal emphasis was placed on dispelling myths and reducing stigma, clarifying that HIV cannot be spread through casual contact such as hugging, sharing utensils, or touching.

World AIDS Day Focus: Understanding STIs and Sexual Health

The seminar further explored Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), defining them and highlighting their impact on individual and public health. Common STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HPV, herpes, hepatitis B and C, and trichomoniasis were discussed.

Knowing the Risks: Types and Symptoms of STIs

Participants learned how STIs are classified into bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections and how some infections may be asymptomatic. This session emphasized the importance of early diagnosis, treatment, and regular health screening.

Taking Action: HIV and STI Prevention for Young People

A key focus of the seminar was prevention, equipping young people with practical strategies to reduce the risk of HIV and STIs. These included consistent and correct condom use, regular testing, avoiding the sharing of needles, the use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for those at higher risk, open communication about HIV status, and maternal health measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission.

World AIDS Day 2025 Call to Action: Empowered Youth, Healthy Futures

In conclusion, the seminar reinforced the importance of awareness, responsible behaviour, and preventive action in the fight against HIV and AIDS and STIs. The World AIDS Day 2025 Commemoration served as a powerful reminder that the response to HIV and AIDS is ongoing and that informed and empowered young people play a critical role in building healthy, stigma-free communities.

By, Ms. Lilian Waweru,

Principal Chaplain-Kenya Prisons.