Summary
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has warned that about 4,000 young women aged 15 to 24 contract HIV every week, with most cases recorded in sub-Saharan Africa. The organisation called for stronger action to protect girls’ health, education, and access to HIV prevention and care.
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has raised concern over the increasing rate of HIV infections among young women. It revealed that about 4,000 women aged 15 to 24 become newly infected every week, with more than 3,300 of those cases occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.
The organisation disclosed this in a statement issued by its Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager, Steve Aborisade, on October 8, 2025, in Lokoja, ahead of the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child.
Steve Aborisade noted that adolescent girls and young women continue to bear a disproportionate HIV burden globally. He added that despite progress made, the figures remain alarming, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
According to AHF, 1.9 million adolescent girls and young women were living with HIV globally in 2023, compared to 1.2 million boys and young men, highlighting a significant gender disparity in HIV prevalence.
The foundation also cited education barriers as a major driver, revealing that 133 million girls worldwide are out of school, cutting off critical pathways to health, independence, and long-term well-being.
AHF urged governments and stakeholders to invest more in HIV and STI prevention, testing, and treatment, and to improve access to healthcare and education for adolescent girls and young women. It also called for stronger actions to address period poverty, gender-based violence, child marriage, and limited sexual health education.
To commemorate the 2025 International Day of the Girl, AHF Nigeria announced plans to host an educational and empowerment event on October 10 at the Community Commercial Secondary School, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The event will promote menstrual health, leadership, and education while honouring outstanding girls and distributing free sanitary pads.
