In an effort to further mitigate the spread of HIV/AIDS, the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) has organised a four-day capacity building programme for Adolescent Youth Persons (AYP) on the proper usage of social media for the #isabiHIV campaign.
Addressing participants drawn from the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State in Alausa, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), LSACA, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke, said the workshop was designed to train representatives of the LGAs on social media content strategies and message development related to HIV awareness and prevention.
This, she said, would ultimately promote basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS, encourage the uptake of HIV testing services and also reduce the incidence of Gender-Based Violence amongst Adolescent Youth Persons.
Adeleke said: “The overall goal of the HIV Prevention Campaign is to significantly contribute to the reduction of new infections amongst AYP by increasing their access to gender-responsive HIV prevention information and services”.
“This project will equip AYP with the knowledge of HIV and related matters necessary and provide a tremendous opportunity for relevant stakeholders working with AYP to network, learn and share experiences to maintain our lead in the prevention and control of the spread of HIV. All of this will ensure that the UNAIDS ‘90-90-90 initiative’ is strategically and successfully achieved in the State, thereby contributing to the eradication of the Global HIV epidemic by 2030”, she added.
While stressing that there has been a rapid decline of HIV infection in children, the CEO said the progress is much slower among older adolescents (age 15 to 19) and young people (20-24years).
“Hence, it has become necessary for the government to provide directions, which this programme is targeted at”, she noted.
Speaking on the #isabiHIV campaign, Dr. Adeleke disclosed that the project was initiated to design and develop a three-pronged response, focused on getting stakeholders’ buy-in, peer-led activities and massive awareness via social media, in order to promote broader participation.
She further reiterated the commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to supporting the AYP and other stakeholders with vital resources and measures to curtail the virus.
A facilitator and President, Passion Against Rape and Abuse in Africa (PARA), Mrs. Foluke Daramola-Salako, attributed the essence of the training to identifying and setting key goals, where the participants are meaningfully involved in determining the strategy to create and share proper and relevant HIV information, particularly using social media.
Daramola-Salako affirmed that the training would influence AYP to take specific actions in promoting engagement and awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention via social media.
