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HIV/AIDS and Employment: Protecting Young People and Involving Them in Work-Related Solutions. Education Development Center’s Health & Human Development Programs Wendy Santis, M.S. YES/Mexico 2004. Discussion Topics. The HIV/AIDS Epidemic: What is it doing? Where is it going?
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HIV/AIDS and Employment: Protecting Young People and Involving Them in Work-Related Solutions Education Development Center’s Health & Human DevelopmentPrograms Wendy Santis, M.S. YES/Mexico 2004
Discussion Topics • The HIV/AIDS Epidemic: What is it doing? Where is it going? • Addressing HIV/AIDS in the workplace • Roles young people can play in responding to the HIV/AIDS crisis • How to create sustainable livelihoods
40 million people living with HIV/AIDS in 2003 5 million new HIV infections in 2003 3 million deaths from HIV/AIDS in 2003 2.5 million young people infected in 2003 Global estimatesfor adults and children
The Interest of EDC/HHD: Youth Livelihoods and HIV/AIDS: The Connection • Poverty heightens HIV/AIDS vulnerability for young people • Infected youth face harsher economic realities • HIV increases economic problems for youth from AIDS-affected families • Girls and young women are more vulnerable to the economic factors that fuel the spread of the epidemic • Unemployed youth are more vulnerable to migration and engage in risky sex
Roles young people can play in responding to the HIV/AIDS crisis • Peer educators in NGOs • School-based health prevention specialists • Activists and advocates for more action • Counselors in clinics • Researchers and sales representatives in pharmaceuticals • Providers of care and services to the sick • Creators of alternative services to educate orphans
Case study #1Center for the Study of AIDSSouth Africa • Volunteer program involving youth in HIV/AIDS work • Peer counseling, outreach, prevention education, research, and policy • Graduates of the program have found paid HIV/AIDS work
Case study #2YES/Kenya • Assisting young people to access credit so they can start their own businesses • Using theater, puppetry and poetry to disseminate information on HIV/AIDS
Recommendations • Identify and develop opportunities in HIV/AIDS work • Create awareness of opportunities • Provide skills training and mentoring • Train youth in business skills and provide access to financial services • Develop vocational education and job training programs • Provide training in enterprise development and business development services • Increase access to financial services • Link policy and programs: governments and private sector