Over 500 people girls get HIV every week and the number goes higher if we are to talk about the Youth and despite the fact that many people are advised to use ARVs, over 70 people die of AIDS related causes every day. The increase in sexual activity among the youth is worryingly increasing every single day and efforts to advise young people to use Condoms has been detered by the presence of other Contraception methods thus fueling the spread of HIV.
In a bid to hit the Global target of the three (3) zeros by 2030, ie; ZERO new infections, ZERO stigma and discrimination, and ZERO new AIDS related deaths, the Uganda Network of Young People living with AIDS (UNYPA) launched the Y+ beauty pageant now in its 4th edition under the theme ‘I can, you can. Hands up for HIV prevention among adolescents and young people.’
The Y+ beauty pageant aims at fighting and reducing stigma and discrimination against young people infected and living with HIV and AIDS. The pageant is also offering them space through which they can talk to other young people encouraging them that it’s possible to live with AIDS but also, to use condoms.
This years’ Y+ beauty pageant is slated for 23rd September at Hotel Africana and six finalists will be crowned. The search for the next Y+ winners is starting on 12th August from the Eastern Region and UNYPA aims at reaching over 80,000 young people throughout the campaign.
The bootcamp will be in Fort Portal from 17th-21st September ahead of the final event. The Y+ beauty pageant is aimed at creating a generation of Young People living with HIV who support HIV prevention and young negatives who are against stigma and social discrimination in society.
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