Their involvement in the fight against HIV can bring about desired benefits Government says young people are the key in the fight against HIV and AIDS in the country.
Speaking during this year’s World Aids Day commemorations in Lusaka’s Matero Township, Minister of Youth and Sport Vincent Mwale said the positive power that young people possess could enable the country to yield the desired benefits and improve the fight against HIV.
Mr. Mwale said this after students from the University of Zambia (UNZA) HIV and AIDS Response Programme demanded that the Minister and other officials present took recognition of a group of young performers that recited a stirring poem during the commemorations.
Mr. Mwale noted that the action by the students made him realize that youths have the power to spearhead change in the country.
“We were all seated comfortably and the students from UNZA demanded that we stand up and appreciate what they were doing,” he said.
“This is the power young people possess; if they want to call for action, they will call for it. If they want to see change they will push for it. If they want to see thing move they will do something until something happens,” Mwale continued.
The Minister also urged young people to use their positive energy in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“Today, Zambia has a very youthful population where over 82 percent are young people below the age of 35. This is why I emphasise that young people should be involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” Mr. Mwale noted.
And UNZA HIV and AIDS Response Programme manager for programmes Ganizani Mwale said that he was confident that with the involvement of young people, the country could attain Zero HIV infections by 2030.