Concern over rise in HIV infections in young women
Gauteng Premier David Makhura says 600 young women are infected with HIV/Aids in Gauteng every week.
He was speaking at the provincial commemoration of World Aids Day at the Ellis Park Sports Arena on Friday.
"Many of these young women are in schools, including those young women in Universities. The number of them getting infected, unless arrested, can destroy our society. Because what future can a nation have, if its youth are destroyed by HIV/Aids?" asked Makhura.
He said the rise in numbers is partly due to the infections suffered by pregnant women and sex workers.
Makhura also launched the Gauteng Governments Strategic Implementation Plan on HIV, TB and STI's for 2017 to 2022.
The plan includes collaborating with the youth and civil society groups to rid Gauteng of the epidemic.
"Next year we must go where the youth is. We must have a campaign for one week and visit all 2100 schools in Gauteng along with civil society organisations to educate young people. Secondly, we must go to all the Universities in Gauteng. That is where we have a big problem, especially with many young women who don't have enough resources. They want to better their life but they don't have money and end up doing other things," Makhura said.
He said the health and safety of sex workers across the provinces is a priority for Gauteng.
The plan is yet to be approved.