Project title: Advocacy for STI/HIV/AIDS prevention among youth

Implementing body: Family Planning Association of Pakistan (FPAP)

Aim: To build community support for youth rights to HIV/AIDS information and services, and to increase awareness of STI/HIV/AIDS and prevention methods among youth

Rates of HIV/AIDS infection in Pakistan are moderate and most reported cases are among injecting drug users. But this could change quickly.

In keeping with the rest of the world, young people are particularly vulnerable. Because of this, the Family Planning Association of Pakistan (FPAP) made youth a priority.

There are several factors that put Pakistan at risk. These include rising mobility, low literacy, growing poverty and unsafe survival strategies among the poor.

Around 40 per cent live below the breadline. Most reported HIV infections are in the 20–40 year age group.

Stigma relating to HIV/AIDS is a countrywide problem. As in many countries, people living with HIV/AIDS in Pakistan experience isolation, discrimination and abuse.
A small 'pilot' project was developed by FPAP staff at the JTF inter-regional training for Member Associations.

Without access to appropriate quality information, mythologies and misconceptions dominate youth understanding of sexual and reproductive health issues.

Apart from increasing STI/HIV/AIDS knowledge among youth, the project's objective was to gain community support for the rights of youth in respect of quality information as well as STI/HIV/AIDS services.