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World AIDS Day Message
Youth Alliance for Democracy
December 01, 2009

Youth Alliance for Democracy joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Aids Day. 1 December of every year has been set aside by United Nations General Assembly, to commemorate our departed kith and kin, the surviving affected and infected. The express purpose being to remind each other that HIV is a reality hence the need to support those who are already in the predicament as well as promoting prevention measures to those who are still 'out of this disaster'.

This year's theme is 'universal and human right', a befitting theme as endorsed by Youth Alliance for Democracy in unison with all the right thinking world dwellers.

According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.4 million people living with HIV including 2.1 million Children. It is further estimated that during 2008 2 million people died of AIDS. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and killed by AIDS before they are 35.

Youths are undoubtedly the most vulnerable age group to this pandemic, with women topping the list. This is mainly as a result of their downtrodden status in the society; necessitated by their inability to make decision as they, generally do not control resources in their communities. In most cases they are implementers of decisions made for them by the community and national leaders.

As Youth Alliance for Democracy we reiterate that until and unless youths become master of their destiny, they will always be the hardest hit age group by the pandemic.

The best way to exonerate them is to ensure that the National Youth Policy and the Constitution clearly stipulate the genuine participation of youths in issues of National development, beginning with the crafting of these documents by youth, for the youth.

Whilst other measures are taken to prevent AIDS and care for the already infected and affected poverty must be reduced by strategically positioning youths in real leadership positions and empowers them economically. This culture of buying them beer and drugs to implement ideas on behalf of the society's rich, unpopular few should stop.

To fellow Youths YAD advises that it is none but ourselves to liberate us. This is achieved through our behavior change, principles in whatever we do and unity.

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