What are the next steps?

There are many ways that the battle against AIDS can be strengthened. Among them are the following:

  1. Increase national policies to protect children’s and young people’s rights and reduce their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.
  2. Enable participation of children and young people in making decisions and supporting and educating their peers.
  3. Challenge the social norms that increase children’s and young people’s risk for HIV infection.
  4. Help adults, young people and children improve their communication on sensitive issues such as sexuality and sexual health.
  5. Increase economic opportunities and vocational training for young people so that they are less vulnerable to HIV infection.
  6. Advocate for life skills, sexual health and HIV/AIDS education in and out of schools.
  7. Establish child-friendly and youth-friendly health services.
  8. Help communities establish programmes for the support and care for children and young people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
  9. Reduce the stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS.