Integrating Young People’s Voices into the International AIDS Conference in Bangkok: Report of the National Youth Consultation in Nepal

Nepal's first cases of HIV/AIDS were reported in 1988. At the end of 2003 it was estimated that 62,000 people were living with HIV/AIDS. The epidemic assessments reveal a low prevalence among the general population and that so far HIV/AIDS is still concentrated among certain groups like Female Sex Workers (FSW), Intravenous Drug Users (IDUs) and labor migrants. However as shown by global experience and specific studies conducted in Nepal the young people remain highly vulnerable to the disease.

In an effort to strengthen its national response to HIV/AIDS, Nepal established a National Center for AIDS and STD Control (NCASC) and a National AIDS Council that in October 2002 endorsed the National HIV/AIDS strategy. Prevention of new infections among young people is one of the 5 key priority areas identified in the strategy and therefore young people shall receive greater attention in future HIV/AIDS-related programming.