HIV AND AIDS IN TODAY’S WORLD

In December 2007, Stefanie Ortiz-Cidlik, Director of Membership and Program, represented GSUSA at the “HIV/AIDS in Today’s World” conference at Sangam World Centre in Pune, India.  The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and Sangam hosted the conference as part of their effort to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic.  Girl Scout and Girl Guide representatives from 14 countries came together for the week-long conference.  Stefanie was one of five representatives from the United States.

WAGGGS has made HIV/AIDS a focus area and has issued the following position statement.  “The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) believes that young people need to be put at the centre of the efforts to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic.  As the voice of girls and young women WAGGGS has identified the fight against HIV and AIDS as a priority issue on which to take a stand and speak out.”  Currently, more than 60 million people have been infected with HIV, and AIDS has already killed more than 20 million people.  Half of new HIV infections are among young people ages 15 to 24.  Today, 12 million young people are living with HIV and AIDS and 6,000 more are infected daily.  Every hour, 250 young people are infected, that’s one every 15 seconds.  Inadequate knowledge about HIV and AIDS, a lack of education and life skills put young people at great risk.  Surveys in 18 countries indicate that less than 50 percent of young people have a comprehensive knowledge about HIV.  Gender inequality and the low status of women remain two of the principal drivers of HIV and AIDS.  There is a disproportionate impact of the AIDS epidemic on women and young girls, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.  Girls and young women have less access to education and HIV information, tend not to enjoy equality in marriage and sexual relations, and remain the primary caretakers of family and community members suffering from AIDS-related illnesses.

During the “HIV and AIDS in the World Today” conference, learned about HIV and AIDS, the challenges of educating girls and young women about HIV/AIDS, visited Deep Griha and Sahara Aalhad Residential Care and Rehabilitation Centre (two local HIV/AIDS centers).  Each participant developed an advocacy plan for implementing HIV/AIDS awareness activities into their Girl Scout or Girl Guide programs.  In addition, the group spent a great deal of time learning about India, its customs and culture, and its people.  The staff at Sangam are phenomenal.  They created an environment where people from 14 different countries could learn about one another and truly connect.

Following the conference, Stefanie enjoyed an 8-day tour of northern India.  She visited the Taj Mahal, rode an elephant, learned a great deal about Indian culture, and visited the Indian National Headquarters for Girl Guides.  The experience was fantastic.  Although there is a great deal of poverty and challenges in India, the people were warm and welcoming.