Plan-supported youth clubs help children to speak out on issues affecting their lives

December 2010: Meet Nadia - one of hundreds of girls in Togo who have found the confidence to speak out on HIV in their communities this World AIDS Day, 1 December, with help from Plan.

Nadia is a member of her local Plan-supported youth club, which for the last 2 years has helped her to speak out on issues affecting her life, opening up a whole new world.

“Here we’re like a family. We’ve been learning a lot, but I’ve especially got to know myself better as a girl, how to protect myself from sexually transmitted infections and HIV through abstinence, how to use condoms and how you should stay loyal to your partner in a relationship,” she says.

Forbidden subjects

This knowledge and new found confidence has also encouraged Nadia to break taboos with her family and within her community.

“In the past speaking about sex was forbidden. As a consequence, my sisters and I didn’t even dare talk about subjects related to sex. But now it’s no longer like that – my parents have changed a lot thanks to meetings they attended with us at the club.

"Sometimes I ask my father for advice, and we talk about certain subjects related to sex. The knowledge that we’ve gained from the club has made dialogue between me and my parents and my sisters easier.”

Reaching other girls

Inspired and determined, Nadia is now a member of her village’s development and youth committees. “Adults ask me and other members of the youth club to organise discussions with women and girls on topics related to sexuality.

“The club facilitators have also taught us how to carry out income-generating activities. Knowing about business can help me become an entrepreneur, which is especially important for girls. This means I won’t have to rely on someone else or look for the easy way out, which is often what drives girls into the arms of men.”

World AIDS Day call

Nadia's story is one of thousands across the world where Plan has supported children to access their rights and break through the stigma and taboos of HIV.

This World AIDS Day, Plan is calling for global leaders to reinforce their pledge to work towards universal access to HIV treatment, prevention and care, and recognise these as fundamental human rights.

Although valuable progress has been made in increasing access to HIV services, greater commitment is needed across the world if universal access is to be achieved.

Learn more about Plan’s global work on sexual health

Join Plan’s global Because I am a Girl campaign

Read about Plan’s work in Togo