The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has raised alarm over the increasing rate of new HIV infections among young women, revealing that about 4,000 women aged 15 to 24 become newly infected every week, with more than 3,300 of those cases recorded in sub-Saharan Africa.
In a statement ahead of the 2025 International Day of the Girl (IDG), AHF Nigeria’s Advocacy and Marketing Manager, Steve Aborisade, called on governments to scale up investment in HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, testing, and treatment. He also urged for stronger policies that expand access to healthcare, education, and reproductive health services for young women and girls.
“To mark the International Day of the Girl, AHF Nigeria will host an empowerment event at Community Commercial Secondary School, Ikot Oku Ubo, Uyo, on October 10,” Aborisade said.
“The event will focus on menstrual health, leadership, and education, while also recognizing outstanding ideas from girls and distributing free sanitary pads.”
He added that civil society organizations such as CISHAN, CCCRN, and ECEWS will participate in the event, alongside officials from the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Women Affairs.
AHF Nigeria’s Country Programme Director, Dr. Echey Ijezie, expressed concern over the numerous challenges facing young girls, including poor menstrual health management, gender-based violence, and inadequate access to sexual and reproductive health services.
“At AHF Nigeria, we are deeply worried about the barriers confronting young girls,” Ijezie said. “Every week, thousands become infected with HIV due to inequality, poor education, and limited access to essential health services.”
He disclosed that as of 2023, about 1.9 million adolescent girls and young women were living with HIV globally, compared to 1.2 million boys and young men.
The International Day of the Girl, celebrated annually on October 11, he noted, serves as a platform to highlight girls’ achievements and advocate for policies that protect their health, rights, and future opportunities.
