Young Women Living with HIV Call for Media Accountability in HIV Reporting

Summary:

• Young women and adolescents living with HIV in Uganda are urging unbiased media coverage to combat misinformation and reduce new infections. Concerns were raised about underreporting of significant HIV contributors like rape and delays in investigations. They emphasize the importance of accurate parental education on sexual and reproductive rights.

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KAMPALA, (Examiner) – In the ongoing battle to eliminate HIV/AIDS by 2030, young women and adolescents living with HIV are calling on the media to deliver impartial coverage on HIV, encompassing its causes, treatments, and impacts, to help stem new infections. In a dialogue orchestrated by the Uganda Network on Law, Ethics, and HIV/AIDS (UGANET), which brought together HIV activists, university students, and adolescents, concerns emerged regarding the media’s occasional omission of vital HIV-related information, thereby jeopardizing community health.

Jovia Mirembe, Advocacy and Strategic Litigation Officer at UGANET, underscored that significant HIV contributors, such as instances of rape—particularly affecting children and young women—are frequently underreported. She highlighted delays in investigations by security agencies, such as the police, even when victims are known to be HIV positive. Mirembe expressed worry about the susceptibility of individuals living with disabilities, often targeted by perpetrators who exploit their inability to defend themselves, urging the police to prioritize these cases to ensure justice for victims.

Furthermore, Mirembe emphasized the crucial role of parents in providing accurate information about sexual and reproductive rights to their children. “If parents fail to provide this information, children may seek it elsewhere, potentially encountering harmful misinformation on platforms like Google. It’s imperative for parents to impart this vital knowledge,” she stressed.

In Uganda, approximately 1.4 million people are living with HIV, with women (860,000) and children (80,000) disproportionately affected. Children below the age of 15 constitute 11% of Ugandans living with HIV. The HIV prevalence among adults aged 15-49 is 5.4%, with females experiencing a higher prevalence. While new HIV infections among newborns have declined by 77% from 20,000 cases in 2010 to 5,900 cases in 2022, the HIV prevalence rate among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) is four times higher than among boys of the same age group, with two-thirds of all new HIV infections occurring in AGYW.

Tyobo Harriet Take, a student at Makerere University, highlighted the sexual challenges faced by young women. “Young men often pursue relationships for sex and resist using condoms or discussing contraception, putting us at high risk of HIV,” she explained. She emphasized that young women possess capabilities beyond their bodies, such as ideas for development.

Kyakunzire Angel, Advocacy and Communications Associate at UGANET, called upon the media and government to disseminate more factual information about HIV to communities. “We often underestimate the sexual activity of adolescent girls and young women, but many are already sexually active. The government must acknowledge these realities and take action,” she urged. Angel advocated for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services for all girls and young women to address the ongoing HIV issues and new infections.

Nantaba Shamirah, an HIV-positive adolescent and activist representing girls and young women living with HIV globally through the UN cohort, pointed out that while rural areas were previously considered the most affected, urban areas also exhibit high HIV prevalence rates. She highlighted the prevalence of myths and misconceptions in urban settings, particularly in slums like Katanga, and urged the media to address these issues proactively.

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