The Government has been implementing a multi sectoral response towards addressing new HIV infections, pregnancies and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) among adolescents.

Policy makers say the campaign is in the middle of its implementation as the government is seeking to build resilient and sustainable platforms for prevention of new HIV infections, SGBV and pregnancies among adolescents.

It is also facilitating an enabling environment to access treatment, care, mental health, and justice for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, pregnant children and persons living with HIV.

There is a nexus between the adolescent pregnancies and gender-related violence hence the call to tame the crime.

There are positive signs that the country significant strides towards taming the epidemic since the first case of HIV was detected in 1984.

Data from the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council shows that the prevalence has fallen from highs of 10 per cent in the 90s to the current 3.7 per cent.

This is a commendable job that has taken a lot of effort and the momentum should also be enhanced to ensure the set agenda towards accelerating ending HIV and Aids by 2030 remains within the purview of everybody. It is important for every stakeholder to be part of these discussions. Nobody should be left behind in this all-important engagement because prevention encompasses everybody.

But even then, the issue of stigma and discrimination should not be left in isolation, given that it is cited as a major contributor to new HIV infections especially in arid and semi-arid lands.

Similarly, statistics from the council reveal that the country fell short of achieving the target to reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission rates to less than five per cent by 2020, recording a transmission rate of 8.6 per cent last year and is another critical area that requires discussions.

Financing for HIV and Aids is yet another critical aspect towards eradicating the epidemic, especially now that Kenya is transitioning from low to medium income country, which means it should be financially sustainable by 2030.

As we prepare to celebrate the World Aids Day next month, we encourage Kenyans to address the issue of gender-based violence and teenage pregnancies as one.