Young girls two times more likely to contract HIV than boys: UNICEF

According to the latest report by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), young girls are twice more likely to contract HIV than boys. The report revealed that girls continue to bear the brunt of the HIV epidemic even though the number of infections among girls aged 10-19 has almost halved since 2010. UNICEF's report also revealed that in 2022 nearly 98,000 adolescent girls aged 10-19 were infected with HIV. This amounts to 1,900 new infections every week!

HIV higher among girls than boys, says UNICEF

According to a report in The Washington Post, UNICEF's data was part of an annual snapshot on children and HIV/AIDS. The report suggested that gender inequality, limited access to health care, and a dearth of educational programs put young girls at risk of contracting HIV. It noted that 71 percent of new infections among adolescents (ages 10-19) are among girls.

Anurita Bains, UNICEF associate director of HIV/AIDS spoke about the issue and said, "It is unacceptable that adolescent girls, who should be planning their futures, continue to bear the heaviest burden of HIV infection."

According to the new report, there were 2,70,000 new HIV infections among all children and adolescents between the age of 0 and 19 in 2022 globally. This brings the total number of young people living with HIV to 2.6 million.

Deaths due to HIV

In 2022, 99,000 children and adolescents aged 0-19 years died globally due to AIDS-related causes. The Washington Post also notes that overall, the report indicates that nearly 1 million children and teens with HIV go untreated.

What is HIV?

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of the disease. There is currently no effective cure.

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