The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has sounded the alarm over a staggering global health crisis, revealing that an estimated 4,000 adolescent girls and young women contract HIV every week worldwide.
This sobering statistic was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lokoja by AHF Nigeria’s Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager, Mr. Steve Aborishade, as part of activities to commemorate the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child (IDG).
> “Globally, adolescent girls and young women face a disproportionate HIV burden,” the statement read.
“In spite of progress, the numbers remain alarming, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.”
According to AHF, over 3,300 of these new weekly infections occur in sub-Saharan Africa alone, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions in the region.
The organisation highlighted a disturbing gender gap in global HIV prevalence among youth.
In 2023, around 1.9 million girls and young women aged 15 to 24 were living with HIV globally, compared to 1.2 million boys and young men in the same age group.
Beyond HIV, AHF pointed to a wider web of challenges facing girls and young women, including lack of access to education.
The group noted that over 133 million girls globally are currently out of school, severely limiting their access to health information, economic independence, and future opportunities.
In response, AHF is calling for greater investment in HIV and STI prevention, increased access to testing and treatment, and the elimination of systemic barriers to healthcare for adolescent girls and women.
The group also urged action on period poverty, comprehensive sexuality education, gender-based violence, and child marriage—issues it described as root causes of health inequality for girls worldwide.
> “The International Day of the Girl is a time to spotlight these challenges, amplify girls’ voices, and advocate for policies that protect their rights, health, and future,” the statement added.
As part of its activities to mark the 2025 IDG, AHF Nigeria will hold an educational outreach on October 10 at Community Commercial Secondary School, Ikot Oku, Ubo, Offort, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The event will focus on empowering girls through education and awareness. Activities will include menstrual hygiene education, leadership development sessions, and an innovation showcase where girls will present creative ideas—with selected entries receiving awards.
> “The 2025 IDG event will feature menstrual hygiene education, leadership talks, and a platform for girls to present innovative ideas, some of which will be awarded with gifts,” said Dr. Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Programme Director.
> “Free sanitary pads will be distributed during the event, and participating girls will be linked to mentorship and leadership development opportunities.”
Representatives from civil society organisations, government agencies, and the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs are expected to attend the programme.
AHF remains the world’s largest non-profit provider of HIV/AIDS care and treatment, currently reaching over 2.5 million individuals in more than 50 countries, including Nigeria.
