The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has raised concern over the alarming rate of HIV infections among young women, revealing that about 4,000 girls aged 15–24 contract the virus every week globally.
This was contained in a statement by AHF Nigeria’s Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager, Mr. Steve Aborishade, on Wednesday in Lokoja, to mark the 2025 International Day of the Girl (IDG).
“Globally, adolescent girls and young women face a disproportionate HIV burden. Despite progress, the numbers remain alarming, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa,” the statement read.
According to AHF, more than 3,300 of the 4,000 weekly infections occur in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2023 alone, about 1.9 million adolescent girls and young women were living with HIV worldwide, compared to 1.2 million boys and young men of the same age group—underscoring a severe gender gap in global HIV prevalence.
The organization added that educational barriers remain a major concern, with about 133 million girls globally out of school, cutting them off from vital pathways to health, independence, and long-term well-being.
AHF urged greater investment in HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, testing, and treatment, alongside improved access to healthcare, especially for adolescent girls and young women.
It also called for stronger action to address period poverty, promote comprehensive sexuality education, and combat gender-based violence and child marriage—identified as key drivers of health inequality.
The foundation further urged stakeholders to amplify girls’ voices, celebrate their achievements, and advocate for policies that protect their health, rights, and future opportunities.
“The International Day of the Girl is observed annually on October 11 to highlight challenges facing girls and to promote their empowerment and rights,” AHF said.
To mark the 2025 celebration, AHF Nigeria will host an educational outreach on October 10 at Community Commercial Secondary School, Ikot Oku Ubo, Offot, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The event aims to protect girls from HIV, celebrate their achievements, and reinforce the need to expand access to education and healthcare.
AHF Nigeria Country Programme Director, Dr. Echey Ijezie, expressed concern over challenges faced by young girls, including poor menstrual health, gender-based violence, and limited access to reproductive health services.
“The 2025 IDG event will feature menstrual hygiene education, leadership talks, and a platform for girls to share innovative ideas—some of which will be rewarded with gifts,” Ijezie said.
He added that free sanitary pads would be distributed, and participating girls would be linked to mentorship and leadership development opportunities.
The programme will be attended by civil society organizations, government representatives, and the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs.
AHF is the world’s largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare provider, offering medical services and advocacy to more than 2.5 million people across 50 countries, including Nigeria.
