PANJIM: A Goa-based youth Applesta Da Costa highlighted on how the gender inequalities and gender-based violence rob women and girls of their fundamental human rights at an international virtual meeting on Saturday.
“Interventions surrounding eradication of gender inequality ought to be community led. Greater involvement of the community will help facilitate a receptive change that can make a society more just and equitable,” said Applesta, while speaking on Ending Inequalities.
The meeting organised by organisations such as “UNAIDS Asia” and “The Pacific” in collaboration with “Youth LEAD” and “The PACT” was held with regional and global youth networks.
The aim of the high level meeting (HLM) was on achieving gender equality.
The meeting also reflected on the outcomes of the HLM, political declarations and to pave the way forward for an inclusive and meaningful engagement of young people in the response to HIV.
“There is a clear link between gender inequality and HIV and it’s very important that we work towards closing the gender gap that exists in society. Women and girls are more vulnerable to HIV due to power struggles and inaccessibility to resources in an interpersonal setting. Women are not able to negotiate if they want to engage in safer sex. They are at a disadvantage in the decision-making process. When women are empowered to protect themselves in reducing their risk of getting infected, it would make a huge difference on the road to eradicating the HIV epidemic,” said Applesta.
Applesta is the Programmee Lead, Psychosocial Support, at Human Touch Foundation, which is youth-focused and youth-serving organisation working in the State within areas such as sexual and reproductive health, substance abuse, TB, HIV and cyber safety.
