SPEECH BY H.E. MARGARET KENYATTA, THE FIRST LADY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA, DURING THE NATIONAL COMMEMORATION OF WORLD AIDS DAY AND THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE DREAMS INITIATIVE AT CITY STADIUM, NAIROBI ON 1ST DECEMBER, 2015
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to be with you here today as we join the rest of the world tocommemorate the 27th World AIDS Day (WAD) in 2015.
The day is dedicated to commemorate those who have passed on and to raise awareness about AIDS and the global spread of the HIV virus.
This day is also an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV and show their support and solidarity with those infected and affected by HIV/Aids.
As the theme has continued to remind us over the past couple of years, there is a clear and present need to get to Zero: Zero new HIV infections, Zero AIDS related deaths and Zero Stigma and Discrimination.
This is a journey that I am personally committed to and will continue to play my part in ensuring that all the efforts aimed at getting to Zero are sustained and positive results achieved.
In Kenya, we have noted with concern that other non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes, are slowly taking root with devastating socio-economic consequences, both at household and national levels. The situation that is unfolding is indeed disturbing.
In this regard, I wish to assure you of the Government’s continued commitment to allocate resources for the HIV and AIDS response to complement the support from our development partners.
Looking back over the past twenty years, great progress has been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS. However, there is a grave danger of these gains being reversed because of the current high infection rates among adolescents and young people.
Available statistics are worrisome. For instance, it is unacceptable that 21% of new adult HIV infections should occur among young women of between 15-24 years of age annually. Unless we control new HIV infections among this group, our aspirations of becoming a vibrant middle-income economy in the next few years is in jeopardy.
If we are seeking to achieve our Vision 2030, then we can only ignore the plight of the youth at our own peril. Therefore concerted efforts need to be harnessed to ensure that adolescents and young people in Kenya are HIV free.
The time to act is now in order to safeguard the future generation. In this regard I wish to laud the United States of America through PEPFAR, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Girl Effect for initiating the DREAMS Project. DREAMS is an acronym that stands for Determined, Resilient, Empowered AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe.
Our three decades of HIV and AIDS response in Kenya has taught us that a multi-pronged approach to HIV and AIDS while leveraging on efficiency and effectiveness yields results. This is the approach of the DREAMS Project hence our optimism for its success.
Above all, the choice of Kenya among the 10 countries implementing the DREAMS Project in Africa is a sign of goodwill and continued partnership between our two countries. We thank you.
An HIV-free generation isn’t just a dream; we can make it make it a reality here in Kenya.
And the starting point towards reaching Zero, is for each one of us to go for testing to confirm our status. This way every individual will be able to make an informed choice, to protect his or her loved ones.
I now invite you to join me in launching the DREAMS Project as I reaffirm mycommitment to see an AIDS Free Generation in Kenya.
Before I conclude, I wish all Kenyans a happy Jamhuri Day, a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Thank you.