UNAIDS, UNICEF and its partners launched the 'All In' platform in Nairobi on Wednesday, to take action against the adolescent AIDS epidemic

President Uhuru Kenyatta launched All In, which is a UNAIDS, UNICEF initiative to combat AIDS among the youth. The partner organisations are: UNFPA, WHO, PEPFAR, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and youth movements represented by PACT and Y+.

According to UNICEF, “the platform for action against the adolescent AIDS epidemic focuses on four key action areas: engaging, mobilising and empowering adolescents as leaders and actors of social change; improving data collection to better inform programming; encouraging innovative approaches to reach adolescents with essential HIV services adapted to their needs; and placing adolescent HIV firmly on political agendas to spur concrete action and mobilise resources.”

AIDS is reportedly the leading cause of death for young people aged 10-19 years of age. In Africa, the disease is the leading cause of death for this age group and adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa, are most affected.

“By including adolescents in decision-making processes that have a direct effect on their lives, this initiative will be a catalyst for change,” said President Kenyatta. “Kenya is proud to support this new initiative.”