Battle continues against HIV/AIDS

Kousalya Periasamy married Kalaivan Nadusan in March 1995 when she was 21 years old. Seven months later, her husband poisoned himself and died. Mr Nadusan became HIV positive before their wedding but failed to tell Ms Periasamy, who he infected.

"I was angry and upset when I found out. I want to spread the message so that people can avoid going through what I have," she said.

At the time Ms Periasamy admits that she didn't know anything about HIV/AIDS. But over the last 12 years, she has fought tirelessly to reach out to people across India, telling them about HIV/AIDS.

Although a recent study found that the number of HIV/AIDS cases in India is significantly lower than previous estimations, India's Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss acknowledges that "the number is still large, in fact very large. This is very worrying for us."

UNAIDS, the United Nations agency, the Indian government and other international organisations, found that there are about 2.47 million people infected in the country, less than half the number previous studies suggested.

It is clear that efforts, including initiatives from the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP), need to continue to help combat HIV/AIDS in countries such as India, where women account for a growing proportion of those infected and where there is still widespread stigma and misconception about the pandemic.

The CYP empowers young people in the Commonwealth's 53 member countries to target issues like HIV/AIDS. Commonwealth Youth Ambassadors are taught accurate information and trained to communicate with young people so that knowledge is improved.

After joining the CYP in 2001 Ms Periasamy became President of the Positive Women's Network in India, although she continues to work with the CYP, providing education concerning the infection she contracted.

Ms Periasamy is an example of many Commonwealth Youth Ambassadors who are determined to increase global understanding on the subject. There are four Commonwealth regional centres around the world, based in Zambia, India, Guyana and Solomon Islands, all generating or looking into programmes to fight HIV/AIDS.

Chandigarh and Orissa in India are two areas where Youth Ambassadors organise 'street plays'. These are dramas performed in villages or open fields which contain information on HIV/AIDS.

Hassan Shisau, the Programme Manager for Youth Development at the CYP Asia regional centre, argues that these performances provide a lasting impact.

"Many people can't read and therefore leaflets are mainly useless. They need something visual to understand the dangers which can lead to contracting HIV/AIDS."

Doctors provide advice regarding the content in the scripts and often attend the plays, so they can answer questions raised after the production.

Rock music concerts take place in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, with Commonwealth Youth Ambassadors performing in areas such as shopping malls. The music, which tempts a young crowd, contains messages in some songs that address important points about HIV/AIDS.

Another method adopted to increase knowledge is when a 'magic box' is placed in schools in Meghalaya, North-East India. Any students who have questions on HIV/AIDS can write and then place their concerns in the box, protecting anonymity. At the end of each week a Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, accompanied by a doctor, answers all of the questions in front of the entire school. These are a few examples of the efforts being made around the world to eradicate ignorance concerning HIV/AIDS.

Gaurav Gaur, 24, a Commonwealth Youth Ambassador from Chandigarh, passionately believes that the fight must continue "to ensure that there are no new infections".

Mr Gaur says that many young people are still afraid to discuss HIV/AIDS so he paints his body, clothes, bicycle and car with messages, in order to demonstrate that people must not be afraid to confront issues surrounding HIV/AIDS.

"When I walk into a crowd I am the centre of attention because of my painted body and people feel comfortable talking to me. I explain that they must not be afraid to discuss a subject that is so prevalent among young people."

He is aware that too often young people cannot get accurate information from their peers or family. By imparting information, Mr Gaur hopes to create a chain reaction so that "the more people we speak to, the more young people will understand about HIV/AIDS. The fight against HIV/AIDS will be won by targeting young people."

The Young Ambassadors for Positive Living (YAPL) programme started in 1993 at the CYP's regional centre in Africa. The project has since been adopted in Asia and the Caribbean.

The YAPL programme supports positive behavioural change among young people affected by HIV/AIDS. This is done using a 'positive living' approach that requires young people to be aware of their sexual and behavioural practices, which may put them at risk of HIV infection.

Cristal de Saldanha, Youth Development Adviser for the Commonwealth Secretariat, argues that the battle against HIV/AIDS will only be won by actively targeting and engaging youth.

"No serious effort against the HIV/AIDS pandemic can afford to exclude young people, whose increased understanding will lead to effective change," she said.

Key Links:

• Health
• CYP