HIV Cases Increase Among Young Women in Zambia

By Nyambe Nalishebo

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS –UNAIDS- has raised alarm over a sharp increase in HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women in Zambia.

Speaking to ZNBC News, UNAIDS Zambia Country Director, ISAAC AHEMESAH, revealed that new HIV cases among young people aged 15 to 24 have risen dramatically, from 28,000 in 2023 to 30,000 in 2024.

Mr. AHEMESAH attributed the spike to several factors, including declining condom use, limited access to health services, and persistent cultural challenges such as child marriage and gender-based violence.

He said UNAIDS is working closely with the Zambian government to roll out combination prevention strategies, including wider access to condoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis –PrEP- options.

However, Mr. AHEMESAH expressed concern that funding cuts could severely hamper these efforts.