Many programs or projects, which address the issue of HIV/AIDS, revolve around young (15-25) or those who are identified as those that are mostly at risk. Now a day am confused about this programs since different NGOs (nationals and internationals) are focusing their activities and programs in the above mentioned groups. For instance, there would be more than three NGOs working with one school in the HIV/AIDS programs in different strategies and objective but having similar goal since mostly those youth whose age is between 15-21 are found in secondary schools. It is obvious that working with the risk group and the young is very important. However, the question is what about the remaining groups of the community such as adults or married ones. If these groups are addressed, using different strategies on HIV/AIDS issues one way or the other way the young could also be addressed. The posed programs in the young married people should continue and address them using different approaches like the in school youth programs.  

In my neighbor hood, there are so many young married couples at the same time I see so many problems on their marriage, which is responsible for increasing the spread of HIV/AIDS in the community. These married couples are young and need a mentor in their marriage in RH issues etc however it is impossible for them to get these service easily , since they are married they are no longer in the school, or in the out of school clubs where the RH and HIV/AIDS information disseminated . These young married cupules are youth however, they are not considered as youth in their community. Programs should address the other HIV/AIDS risk groups, which include young married couples.

The 99^th international women day celebrated in Ethiopia in connection with the 2^nd national women’s mobilization conference which is organized in March 7 in Addis Ababa.

 

The women day was celebrated for the 34^th time in Ethiopia with the theme “Let’s Expand Best Practices through organized participation of Women” and attended by ambassadors, senior government officials and other invited gusts. Over 300 development heroes/ heroines including entrepreneurs, ministers, out standing university students, compatriot and individuals who have contributed to women’s causes received awards from president Girma.

 

In the celebration of the women’s day the main purpose which focuses on celebration women’s social, economical and political achievements. Statistically women in Ethiopia represent half of the populations but their participation in social, economical and political activities is still insignificant.

 

The past several decades women were suppressed. The widely accepted axiom ‘women to the kitchen’ kept women for long behind every opportunity. They remained denied of the basic rights. They remained denied the basic rights which were provided for the male counterparts. A lot more still needed to narrow this gap. Still much more is needed to wipe out the misconception in the society. After all whatever development targets are set to be achieved in the short or long term, it is unlikely to be achieved with out equal participation of women with their male counterparts.   

 

Hi every one how is everything? This is my first time to blog in this web page. My name is Meron Girma am from Ethiopia I am working in youth led organization as program coordinator for the youth RH and HIV/AIDS programs. I often visit this web sit and I find it very interesting there fore I decided to participate.

 

I want to share with you the issue of youth friendly RH service in health centers. Youth vulnerability to HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia is one way or the other way related with the gap in the provision of youth friendly reproductive health service. The reproductive health service include Contraception and family planning services, Prevention, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, Post-abortion care, Safe abortion, where permitted by law; and Accurate sexuality education that includes information and skills development to delay sexual relations, have healthy sexual activity and practice respect for individuals’ rightsthe provision of information (information like STIs, different contraceptives, family planning, etc)

 

Personally I have had the chance to visit and asses the service which is provided in the governmental health centers with regard to the above RH service. I conducted the assessment in the near by health center which is regarded as a partner for our organization in the day to day activities which are related with the youth RH activities.