HIV AWARENESS
Many people nowadays trust other people without actually knowing about him/her, and then the diseases HIV is the main effect of it. The person may be shame of him or herself because of what he did, so his emotional health and physical health and also his self esteem is affected. HIV is a deadly disease when two persons exchanged body fluids, the viruses may kill the T-cells that helps the other cells, especially our white blood cells that defends our body against viruses and bacterias. If these T-cells are destroyed, the immune system may be down and the person can die because of the disease, or he or she may intake a medicine that don’t totally kill the viruses but helps in many ways also a person with AIDS or HIV may affects many organs and organ systems in a human body when affected. so should be aware on the people surrounds us to prevent this kind of virus.
Issue:
While the prevalence of HIV and AIDS in the Philippines is still low, the country is one of only seven countries globally where the number of new HIV cases has increased by over 25 per cent from 2001 to 2009. New infections are largely concentrated among key populations with specific risk behaviors, such as unprotected male to-male sex, transaction sex and intravenous drug use.
Primary prevention of HIV infection for key populations has to start in adolescence mainly because infections now occur at a younger age: 20–29. On average, the initiation to sex and drug use is between 14 and 19 years old.
Further, only five per cent of HIV-positive pregnant women have received antiretroviral medicines to prevent mother-to-child transmission. Very few of those at-risk have taken an HIV test, with the number at zero for those under 18 years.
Action:
The UNICEF HIV and AIDS Program is being implemented in at least three HIV priority areas in the Philippines identified by the government as most disadvantaged. To ensure that efforts can be sustained and scaled up, UNICEF works mainly with local government units (LGUs) and advocates the efficient use of resources as primary agents of service delivery and systems building. To achieve the program’s overall goal and specific result, the following activities are being implemented:
Advocate the removal of legal barriers on HIV testing and counseling for those below 18 years old. Map out services available to adolescents and pregnant women, and strengthen and expand them. Improve the capacity of local social welfare providers to understand the needs of adolescents at increased risk of HIV infection, and to mainstream HIV awareness in their work with them. Strengthen HIV-related reporting systems and monitor the quality of services being offered. Implement communication for development programs with at-risk populations, ensuring their participation in developing key messages and strategies. These will raise HIV awareness and reduce its stigma, while enhancing the perception that services are useful, accessible, and affordable. Advocate increased investment. Local AIDS councils will be strengthened to advocate for local plans with budget allocations for most at-risk young people and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission.
Impact:
UNICEF actively works with stakeholders to stop the spread of HIV, consistent with the Philippine AIDS Medium-Term Plan.
YOUTH AND COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY EDUCATION
UNESCO has noted that sexuality education can be delivered through a range of programming modalities, including: family life education (FLE), population education, sex and relationships education, SRH education and life skills education, or through dedicated sexuality education programmes. Four overarching principles guide UNFPA’s work on sexuality education: achieving social equity by paying special attention to vulnerable groups; protecting the rights of young people, particularly to health, education and civic participation; maintaining cultural sensitivity by advocating for sexuality and reproductive health in sensitive and engaging ways; and affirming a gender perspective that, while recognizing boys’ needs, preserves spaces for girls, especially the poor and vulnerable. United Nations (UN) treaty monitoring bodies have recommended that SRH education should be a mandatory component of learning
Other key considerations when developing sexuality education:
- We need to reach young people before they become sexually active
- It is important to address young people’s various identities including those young people living with HIV, young people who are also parents, young key populations etc.
- Teachers are key partners in successful sexuality education programs
- Parents play a primary role in shaping social and sexual identities and need to support schools and teachers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMPU63DrTWk
SPREAD THE LOVE NOT THE VIRUS!
REFERENCES:
1ST PICTURE
ARTICLE
http://UNICEF%20Philippines%20-%20HIV_%20AIDS%20-%20HIV%20and%20AIDS.pdf
Sex education
http://UNICEF Philippines – HIV_ AIDS – HIV and AIDS
Youtube video
Car Igan 
