Cape Town – Women aged 15 to 24 in South Africa are now experiencing the highest weekly rates of HIV and tuberculosis infections, highlighting the continuing vulnerability of this age group.
According to EWN, epidemiological data compiled by the South African Police Service indicates that women aged 15 to 24 now bear the highest weekly burden of combined HIV and TB infections in the country.
This alarming trend indicates how fiercely the twin epidemics continue to afflict this vulnerable demographic.
A broader examination by UNAIDS builds on this, revealing that over 800 young women and adolescent girls aged 15–24 are newly infected with HIV each week in South Africa.
This staggering figure highlights a critical gap in prevention efforts and signals a need for urgent action.
Today is #WorldSexualHealthDay.
🇿🇦 SA facts:
• 35% of new HIV infections in 2019 were in young women & girls
• In KZN, prevalence in recently pregnant young women = 19.2%
• Ages 20–24: women 17.9% vs men 5.6%
Justice is urgent.#PreventGBVF #RESPECT #SexualAwarenessDay pic.twitter.com/sGGmFaO4bz— GBVFResponseFund1 (@GBVF_Fund) September 4, 2025
Global data further reflects the disproportionate impact on adolescent girls and young women. The 2024 UNAIDS global update reports an estimated 4,000 new HIV infections weekly among adolescent girls and young women worldwide, with approximately 3,100 of those occurring in sub-Saharan Africa alone.
Advocacy focused on education and empowerment adds another dimension. The United Nations notes that in South Africa, nearly 1,000 adolescent girls and young women contract HIV each week. Education—keeping girls in school—emerges as a safeguard, capable of cutting their risk of infection by up to 50% in some regions.
The World Health Organisation notes that HIV prevalence among young women aged 15–19 in South Africa has remained relatively unchanged for over a decade, with a significant increase in incidence as they age into their 20s. This trend underscores the need for sustained and targeted interventions to address the unique vulnerabilities of young women in the region.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile, speaking at the 12th South African AIDS Conference in Ekurhuleni on September 8, 2025, said, “If HIV and TB were a snake, its head would be in South Africa.” He added that the country must work closely with communities to ensure no one is left behind in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
[WATCH] Deputy President Paul Mashatile opens the 12th South African AIDS Conference, saying access to comprehensive healthcare must leave no one behind, while championing education, awareness, and anti-stigma efforts to break barriers and foster a culture of understanding and… pic.twitter.com/E1XSO9kdVr
— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 8, 2025
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
