Introduction

1. Introduction YOUTH RESPONSE TO HIV/AIDS PANDEMIC Tanzania’s Experience Presented by Noreen Mazalla and Thomas Maqwai Youth Activists This paper addresses three question based on a bit of experience from HIV/AIDS dialogue,activities on the ground and some literatures. It will attempt to provoke the discussion. It is not fully researched to respond to all problems of youth on the pandemic. In this paper youth have been defined as an age group between 15-36

2. Background • HIV/AIDS has been referred to as a silent tragedy in Tanzania. • Its spread is increasing at an alarming rate and affecting people in all walk of life especially young people who are sexually active. • It is estimated that at the end of 2000, Tanzania had over 1.8 million people infected with HIV and more than 700000 people had developed AIDS. • The population group most severely affected are sexually active youth and women aged between 15-49.

3. Background cont… • The strategy on the fight against HIV/AIDS require Multi-Sectoral approach.Youth as the potential section of the victims have a major role to play. • Youth activities on HIV/AIDS in Tanzania are guided and directed by National Policy which itself is based on the National Multi-Sectoral Strategic Framework (NMSF) 2003-2007.

4. Youth activities on HIV/AIDS • These activities are those done by youth groups, faith groups,youth organizations and organization working for youth • Though all of them are working for the same group,mode of their activities differ. • There are those organizations that HIV/AIDS is their core activities • There are also organizations that HIV/AIDS activities is subsidiary

5. Youth activities cont… • Prevention. • Abstinence • Youth faith groups are advocating for abstinence. • Behavioral changes • This has been advocated as sustainable means of disease prevention. • Condoms campaign. • Youth are doing condoms campaign in reducing the risk of HIV/AIDS infections.

6. Youth activities cont… • Awareness raising • This has been done through ISHI campaign with their slogan “Usione soo!!” “Sema naye!” which means “Don't feel shy!”“Speak with him!” • Disseminating information on HIV/AIDS in both urban and rural areas. • Encouraging voluntary HIV counseling and Testing (VCT) • This has been done through several centers for counseling and testing.e.g ANGAZA and PASADA. • Enhancing Youth Friendly services • TAYOA has established a Mobile-sponsored national toll-free center for HIV pre-counseling service.

7. Difficulties encountered. • Culture and traditions • Most of the tribe in Tanzania are well known of maintaining their culture and traditions. • According to the study by Moono and Hanson 2002 in Handeni District,the rate of HIV infections is highly related to cultural practices. • Negligence

8. Difficulties cont… • Inadequate financial resources • Most youth organizations in Tanzania have poor financial resource bases. • Uncoordinated efforts • This includes less information on the magnitude of the pandemic. • The end results in the repetition of works and overlapping of projects.

9. Policy/Decision makers/Government. Youth organizations: • would like to see the strong coordination framework is formed by reflecting on the existing mechanisms. • would like the stronger monitory and evaluation mechanisms to be put in place. • would like to see Youth regional councils are established.

10. International communities Youth organizations in Tanzania: • Need more financial support • Anticipate their capacity to be enhanced in human,material and finances. • Need participation in International fora • Put in place initiatives whose end results will lead into PLHA’s get anti-retroviral (ARV’s) drugs at an affordable price. • Would like to see youth are involved at all stages in planning processes of UNAIDS programs

11. Conclusion • The message of what HIV/AIDS is all about has been conveyed to the majority of youth in urban areas while rural areas remains a challenge the needs a focus. • We are calling all youth in Tanzania and the world at large to carry the message conveyed on HIV/AIDS,and ensure effective dissemination. In doing so, we can map the way forward for the promising future of making our life free from HIV/AIDS. • Youth is strategically important social group in the fight against the pandemic.

12. Acronyms • AIDS-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome • ARV-Anti-retroviral • BCC-Behavior Change Communication • IEC-Information Education and Communication • NMSF-National Multi-Sectoral Strategic Framework. • HIV-Human Immunodeficiency virus.

13. References • The United Republic of Tanzania,Prime Minister’s Office,”The National Policy on HIV/AIDS”November 2001. • Paula Tibandebage,Samwel M.Wangwe,Phare Mujinja and Richard Bail.Levels and Determinants of expenditure on the treatment of HIV/AIDS in Tanzania.ESRF Discussion paper No.13 May 1997. • Quarterly Economic Review:ESRF Vol.6 Issue 3;”HIV/AIDS and Maasai community”.July-September 2003. • The United Republic of Tanzania,Prime Minister’s Office,”The National Multi-Sectoral Strategic Framework” (2003-2007) • Ministry of Health Tanzania; “The National Policy Guideline for Reproductive and Child Health Service”.May 2003 • AYA:Improving Youth Health;Component II Behavior Change.2004.