HIV: Stakeholders urge government to protect adolescents against discrimination

Stakeholders have urged the federal and state governments to protect young people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), against stigma and discrimination, and guarantee their access to employment opportunities in the country.

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The stakeholders spoke during a Zoom meeting at the ongoing Civil Society Accountability Forum organised by AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Youth Network on HIV and AIDS in Nigeria.

Advocacy and Marketing Manager for AHF, Mr Steve Aborisade, noted the challenges young people living with HIV face in accessing employment, despite their competencies and skills.

Aborisade said the meeting would enable stakeholders to review the effectiveness of existing legal and policy frameworks that could guarantee adolescents and young people living with HIV have access to gainful employment.

“We will strategize on enhancing structures and policies that will promote non-discrimination and equitable access to the labour market for young people, especially those living with HIV.

“To identify key barriers related to AYPLHIV employment and promote the establishment of economic empowerment and vocational skills development initiatives that are responsive to the needs of young people.

“To promote affirmative action on AYPLHIV employment from key players in the Nigerian HIV/AIDS corridor.

“And understand their expectations from employers and engage in the enforcement of HIV/AIDS workplace policy,” he said.

The Acting Director Policy Planning and Coordination Department, National Agency for the Control of AIDs, Dr Yinka Falola, said 300 cases of discrimination against persons with HIV were recently reported and 80 per cent of them had been resolved.

“It is a work in progress to ensure we bring and remove all barriers affecting job opportunities for persons with HIV.

“We urge you to look into the opportunity of being employers of labour.

“Know your rights and where to run to, when your rights are trampled upon,” she said.

The HIV Technical Expert and OSH Coordinator, ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra-Leone, Dr Runo Onosode, encouraged them to key into digital transformation in line with global trends to enable them to get opportunities to thrive.

“I urge youths to harness the digital economy with all the services Artificial Intelligence provides in terms of career development and opportunities,” she said.

Mr Abdulkadir Ibrahim, Network of People Living with HIV and AIDs in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), stressed the need for legal protection to curb the trend of stigma and discrimination against persons with HIV in the workforce.

“We have a lot of people that are competent and very good, but because of their status, they are denied jobs,” he said.

Ibrahim also encouraged persons with HIV to explore other means of job opportunities, rather than wait for white collar jobs.

“We will continue to engage and partner with all stakeholders to ensure the rights of young people with HIV are protected.

“I also encourage them to acquire skills to enable them to be self-reliant, rather than wait for white collar jobs,” he said.

The Country Community Mobilisation and Network Adviser, UNAIDS, Mr Gabriel Undelikwo said, “Eliminate all forms of self-stigmatisation so that you will not be limited by your HIV status to actualise your dreams and visions.”