It’s high time that we as young people are seen not as the ‘problem’ but the ‘solution’ to the problems that we face.

Taonga, from Zambia, is a Youth Journalist through the International Youth Speak Out Project.

My activism in HIV and AIDS started whilst at secondary school in 2006. My initial motivation came from my two elder sisters who have both been involved in HIV and AIDS work and were also involved in peer education in our home community through the church.

I have been brought up in a high density middle class community that is struggling with a very high rate of unemployment and lack of other meaningful opportunities among both the youth and the adults. This in turn has resulted in high prevalence of risky behaviors such as substance abuse and casual sex, making individuals highly vulnerable to HIV and AIDS -  particularly the young girls/women who are at a greater risk of early marriages, unplanned pregnancies, STIs and sexual violence. This motivated me to get involved at community level through a behavioural change programme at our church.

Having my fellow young people come to me saying I inspire them, they want to know more and then we sit and share experiences is a totally humbling and learning experience for me.  This really motivates me into wanting to do more and being the change I want to see.

As a young person, there a lot of things I want to see for us.  I would like for us to have a forum to voice our concerns and most importantly what we feel are the solutions to the problems we face.  I would also like for young people worldwide to have access to information and services, this to help us make informed decisions.

Young people advocating for our sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is very important because these are the issues affecting us directly, hence we are likely to be more passionate advocating the cause. At the same time we are young ,energetic and we constitute a huge population worldwide.  It’s high time that we as young people are seen not as the ‘problem’ but the ‘solution’ to the problems that we face.