Youths urged to guard against HIV infection

Young people constitute 67 percent of the country’s population.
Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment permanent secretary Mr Prince Mupazviriho, recently said youths were very important as they were actively involved in national development programmes.
“Young people play a significant role as the future of the country lies in their hands,” he said.
“Development of the country would be rendered pointless if we are to lose part of our youthful population through HIV and Aids.”
Mr Mupazviriho was speaking during commemorations of the World Population Day running under the theme “Seven billion people, counting on each other,” which means that the world’s population will reach the seven billion mark on the 31st of October this year.
Zimbabwe has chosen the sub theme “Young people, forging the future: Opportunities and challenges in a world of seven billion” that focuses on young people.
Mr Mupazviriho urged the youth to utilise available resources effectively to develop their lives and avoid new infections.
“We need to channel the scarce resources to development, not taking care of the newly infected youths. Youths should adopt positive behaviour change.”
Meanwhile, Mr Mupazviriho said Government was committed to empower youths in setting up viable enterprises.
“Young people should take advantage of the Youth Development Fund to acquire loans and put them to good use to create employment for yourselves and hence shift from the employment seeking syndrome,” he said. – New Ziana.