UN Sounds Alarm Over Rising HIV Infections Among Young Women and Girls

The United Nations has sounded the alarm over the alarming rate of HIV infections among young women and girls, with 96,000 girls and 41,000 boys aged 15-19 newly infected with HIV in 2023. The proportion of new adolescent infections among girls is staggering, with 7 out of 10 new adolescent infections being among girls. In sub-Saharan Africa, 9 out of 10 new HIV infections among 15-19 year-olds were among girls. The UN has also highlighted the disparity in access to anti-retroviral therapy, with 57% of children under 14 and 65% of teenagers aged 15-19 receiving treatment. The numbers are equally disturbing, with 76,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2023 and 1.3 million people contracting HIV. The global HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to affect 40 million people, with 9.3 million not receiving treatment. The UN is urging action to address this crisis, which disproportionately affects young women and girls.