Addressing Youth within the World Bank's Multi-Country HIV/AIDS Program (MAP)

Young people are central in the battle against HIV/AIDS. Each day 5,000-6,000 new infections occur among young people age 15-24, representing half of new infections. The disease disproportionately affects young females; rates of infection among girls in the hardest-hit countries of Africa are 1.3 to 12 times higher than for boys of the same age. Young people are also the best hope for fighting the epidemic; where HIV prevalence has fallen, youth have led the way by delaying sex, reducing partners, and increasing condom use. As one of Africa's largest donors for HIV/AIDS, the World Bank can help ensure that programs to contend with the disease adequately focus on young people. This study, based on six in-depth country case examples, examines the experience of the World Bank in addressing the youth dimension of the HIV/AIDS epidemic through its Multi-Country HIV/AIDS Program (MAP) in Africa. The study hopes to provide further guidance to the Bank on improving the effectiveness of its investments in youth and HIV/AIDS programming.