National 7 (Spotlight Weekly)

Twin Terror

The rise of violence and HIV/AIDS epidemic pose the two most serious threats to Nepalese youths today

By SANJAYA DHAKAL

Violence and the HIV/AIDS epidemic are the two terrors that have gripped the nation —especially its youths —today. While one strikes fast, the other is a silent killer. Nevertheless, both unleash consequences that are similarly destructive.

A national workshop was organized on April 28 to mark the Global Youth Service Day by Nepal Volunteers Association and Global Youth Action Network. The theme of the workshop was "The role of youth in peace-keeping and HIV/AIDS prevention."

Sharat Singh Bhandari, Minister for Health, termed both violence and HIV/AIDS as terrorists that strike the youths in particular. "Everyday we hear so many people dying because of violence. On the other hand, there are villages that stand the threat of getting wiped out due to the AIDS epidemic. Both are equally important. Unless we take proper steps in time, these two issues can finish us off."

Agreed Dr. Mohammad Shariff, former chief of United Nations Social Division. "It is true that people of my generation are the ones to blame for the present maladies in the country. In that, youths of today have a greater responsibility upon their shoulders. However, I believe they can carry out their responsibilities with flying colors."

Krishna Narayan Singh Thapa, a retired army general, said youths should decide themselves which path is right —the one leading to terror/violence or the other leading to development and construction. "In fact, youths can play major role in their society. They should challenge discriminatory practices like untouchability that is prevalent in their community," said Thapa.

A recently published Human Rights Yearbook 2002, compiled by INSEC, lists how our youths are being subjected to violence. According to it, in the year 2001, out of total 10,132 incidents of human rights abuse (including deaths, injuries and other forms of abuses), 510 were perpetrated against people below the age of 15 and 8,734 against people between the age of 15 and 45. Most perpetrators belonged to the same young age group.

This clearly points how deeply youths are involved in crime, conflicts and violence. Instead of guiding society and country toward peace and prosperity, Nepalese youths are caught in a deadly trap of violence and counter-violence. On the one hand they are the biggest victims and on the other, they are the biggest perpetrators, as well. The involvement of youths in street crimes, substance abuses like drug-use is also a rising concern.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is also threatening the same segment of the population the most. According to UNAIDS, 14 adults are infected in Nepal each day. In the year 2001, 3,000 adults will have died of AIDS in Nepal. Without effective intervention, AIDS may become the leading cause of death in the 15-49 years age group over the next ten years. By the year 2005, AIDS deaths will account for 20 percent of total deaths in the age group. More than 50 percent of all the people who use intravenous drugs are HIV positive.

The facts are indeed frightening. "Nepal is on the verge of a major HIV/AIDS epidemic. And one thing is clear —this epidemic is hitting the young people. Young people should become aware about this disease and share that information with their friends," said Catherine Thompson, HIV/AIDS technical advisor at USAID/Nepal.

During the workshop a paper each was presented on the role of youth in peace-keeping and prevention of HIV/AIDS. "There should be special strategy to make use of our youths on dealing with these issues more effectively," said Rajendra Mulmi, president of Youth Initiative Nepal.

"It is clear that youths have the most important role to play in the betterment of their society. Without their involvement no program can succeed," said Hari Man Lama, president of Nepal Volunteers Association.