The National AIDS Council of Zimbabwe is a statutory body created by Parliament in 1999 to coordinate and implement HIV programs to combat the spread of HIV in Zimbabwe. It aims to be a leader in reducing HIV and its impact. An estimated 1.8 million Zimbabweans live with HIV, with prevalence at 24.6% among 15-49 year olds. Girls aged 15-19 are most vulnerable to infection. Young people are disproportionately affected, with half the population being young and most current infections occurring when people were young. The National AIDS Council works with young people through various committees and initiatives, provides resources and support to youth organizations, and has supportive policies to engage and protect youth in the HIV response. Challenges include high youth

1. National AIDS Council
NAC and Young PeopleNAC and Young People

2. Introduction
 National AIDS Council is a statutory bodyNational AIDS Council is a statutory body
set by an act of Parliament in 1999set by an act of Parliament in 1999
 Mandated to provide measures to combatMandated to provide measures to combat
the spread of HIV.the spread of HIV.
 This is achieved by management,This is achieved by management,
coordination and implementation of HIVcoordination and implementation of HIV
programsprograms

3. Vision
 To be recognized as a leader in theTo be recognized as a leader in the
reduction of HIV and AIDS and its impactreduction of HIV and AIDS and its impact
in Zimbabwe and beyondin Zimbabwe and beyond

4. Values
 AccountabilityAccountability
 EfficiencyEfficiency
 TransparencyTransparency
 EffectivenessEffectiveness
 CommitmentCommitment
 Non-discriminationNon-discrimination
 TeamworkTeamwork

5. Situational Analysis
 An estimated 1,8 million Zimbabweans areAn estimated 1,8 million Zimbabweans are
living with HIVliving with HIV
 HIV prevalence is 24.6% in the 15-49 years ageHIV prevalence is 24.6% in the 15-49 years age
groupgroup
 90% of the infected are not aware of their status90% of the infected are not aware of their status
 Girls in the 15-19 year age group are the mostGirls in the 15-19 year age group are the most
vulnerable to HIV infectionvulnerable to HIV infection
 An average of 2500 people are dying per weekAn average of 2500 people are dying per week
as a result of HIV and AIDSas a result of HIV and AIDS
 Life expectancy has fallen from62 years to 43Life expectancy has fallen from62 years to 43
years because of AIDSyears because of AIDS

6. Young people and AIDS
 Half of the worlds population is young peopleHalf of the worlds population is young people
 Most of the people who are now living withMost of the people who are now living with
HIV and AIDS are presumed to have acquiredHIV and AIDS are presumed to have acquired
the infection when they were young peoplethe infection when they were young people
 Globally it is estimated that 2100 young peopleGlobally it is estimated that 2100 young people
are infected with HIV on a daily basisare infected with HIV on a daily basis
 Considering that the majority of HIVConsidering that the majority of HIV
infections occur in Sub Saharan Africa, itinfections occur in Sub Saharan Africa, it
could be true to say the majority of the 2100could be true to say the majority of the 2100
youth infections are occurring in Sub-Saharanyouth infections are occurring in Sub-Saharan
AfricaAfrica

7. Young People: Our Hope
 Young people can turn the tide ofYoung people can turn the tide of
HIV and AIDS.HIV and AIDS.
 Young people are the window ofYoung people are the window of
hope.hope.
 The face of HIV and AIDS is the faceThe face of HIV and AIDS is the face
of a young person. (15-24 years)of a young person. (15-24 years)
 An AIDS free generation can only beAn AIDS free generation can only be
realized if young people takerealized if young people take
commitments.commitments.

8. The National Response and
Young People
 Participation and involvementParticipation and involvement
Young People have been taken on board inYoung People have been taken on board in
fora where programs are formulated,fora where programs are formulated,
designed.designed.
National Board, Provincial AIDS ActionNational Board, Provincial AIDS Action
Committees, DAACs, WAACs, VAACsCommittees, DAACs, WAACs, VAACs
Child Parliament,Junior Councils, YouthChild Parliament,Junior Councils, Youth
CouncilCouncil

9. The National Response and
Young People
 Support to Youth InitiativesSupport to Youth Initiatives
 Provision of ResourcesProvision of Resources
Technical, moral, financial, spiritualTechnical, moral, financial, spiritual
support has been extended to youthsupport has been extended to youth
InitiativesInitiatives
Youth-run/led OrganizationsYouth-run/led Organizations

10. The National Response and
Young People
 Existence of supportive Policies and legislationExistence of supportive Policies and legislation
Zimbabwe Youth Council ActZimbabwe Youth Council Act
Youth PolicyYouth Policy
Sexual Offences Act, etcSexual Offences Act, etc
Child Protection ActChild Protection Act
Ratification of the Universal Children's CharterRatification of the Universal Children's Charter
Ratification of the Sexual and ReproductiveRatification of the Sexual and Reproductive
Health Rights for young People and many moreHealth Rights for young People and many more

11. Challenges
 High mobility of young peopleHigh mobility of young people
 MorbidityMorbidity
 Discriminatory attitudesDiscriminatory attitudes
 Adult mistrustAdult mistrust
 Resource scarcityResource scarcity

12. Thank youThank you