JOHANNESBURG – Young women aged 15 to 24 have emerged as the most vulnerable group in South Africa’s ongoing battle against HIV and tuberculosis (TB), with the highest weekly rates of new infections across the country. This alarming revelation was made by Deputy President Paul Mashatile during the opening of the 12th South African AIDS Conference, held at Emperors Palace in Ekurhuleni on Monday.
The biennial event, which gathered researchers, health experts, policymakers, and government leaders, serves as a platform to discuss the latest data, research findings, and strategies in the fight against HIV and TB. The opening remarks from the Deputy President set a sobering tone for the conference, underscoring the urgent need for targeted intervention—especially among young women.
Mashatile’s address highlighted a particularly disturbing trend: young women between the ages of 15 and 24 are contracting HIV and TB at higher rates than any other demographic group in South Africa.
Urgent Action Needed as Young Women Bear the Brunt of HIV and TB Crisis in SA
“These young women represent the epicentre of new infections. The data is clear and it’s deeply concerning,” said Mashatile. “This is not just a public health crisis—it is a social and economic one too.”
The Deputy President noted that South Africa continues to carry the heaviest global burden of HIV and TB, particularly among individuals aged 15 to 49. He referenced Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla’s often-quoted analogy: “If HIV and TB were a snake, its head would be in South Africa.”
“This means the world is looking to us to lead the way in achieving epidemic control,” Mashatile added. “And as Dr Xulu from SANCO has said, ‘we dare not fail.’”
In response to the worsening crisis, the South African government has launched two critical health initiatives aimed at curbing the spread of HIV and TB.
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Close the Gap Campaign – This initiative encourages individuals to start and stay on antiretroviral treatment. It also focuses on improving adherence and accessibility, especially among young women, who are often more likely to drop off treatment due to social stigma or lack of support.
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End TB Campaign – The campaign sets an ambitious goal: to test at least five million people for TB during the 2025/2026 financial year. With South Africa remaining one of the countries with the highest TB incidence in the world, this large-scale testing effort is crucial to early detection and treatment.
Health experts say the high infection rates among young women are a result of a combination of biological, social, and economic factors. Gender inequality, lack of access to education, poverty, and gender-based violence all contribute to increased vulnerability in this age group.
“Young women are more likely to be in relationships with older partners, who may already be living with HIV,” explained Professor Zanele Mkhize, a public health expert attending the conference. “Power imbalances in these relationships often make it difficult for young women to negotiate condom use or access health services.”
Additionally, cultural norms and stigma surrounding sexual health contribute to lower rates of testing and treatment uptake among young women, further fueling the crisis.
Mashatile emphasized the importance of collaboration across sectors—government, civil society, academia, and international partners—to effectively address the growing threat.
“This cannot be solved by the Department of Health alone,” he said. “We need schools, communities, families, and religious institutions to be part of the solution. We must create safe environments where young women can access the services they need without fear or shame.”
The Deputy President also called for increased investment in youth-led initiatives, peer education, and digital health tools that resonate with younger audiences.
As South Africa moves forward with its ambitious health campaigns, the data presented at the 12th SA AIDS Conference underscores the urgency of the moment.
The challenge is enormous—but so is the opportunity. With young women at the center of the country’s public health strategy, targeted interventions have the potential to drastically reduce new HIV and TB infections and break the cycle of transmission for future generations.
In Mashatile’s words, “The global community is counting on South Africa. And we must rise to meet that challenge—for our children, for our communities, and especially for the young women who continue to carry the heaviest burden.”
Source- EWN
