Young women at more risk of HIV infection than young men

The unchecked sexual exploitation of girls and women is contributing to the fact that young women are “bearing the brunt” of new HIV infections, Unicef has warned in a report.

Unicef adds that this route of infection is undermining medical progress against the AIDS pandemic.

It says that of the 5.5 million people aged 15-24 worldwide with the virus, two thirds are women. In southern Africa, which is home to 67% of all people with HIV, women under 25 are 2-4.5 times more likely than male peers to become infected.

Anita Tiessen, deputy …