With HIV cases emerging in Rotuma and fears that the festive season could accelerate transmission, youth representative Inoke Mani says urgent education and open discussion are needed, and the island’s young people must be the starting point.
Speaking to fijivillage News during the Creative Content workshop organised by the National Youth Council in Flagstaff, Suva, Mani says even though only a few cases have been recorded on the island, the risk is serious, especially as people return home for the holidays.
He says HIV remains a taboo topic in Rotuma, and stressed that by staying silent and having an old mindset will only make things worse.
Mani says the Rotuma Youth Council hopes to push for greater awareness, testing and education, with young people being the easiest group to reach and influence.
However, HIV is not the only concern.
Mani says Rotuma’s youth are also navigating a sudden shift into the digital world after the island recently gained stronger internet access through Starlink.
He acknowledged that while young people are open to guidance, addressing issues with older community members is more challenging.
He says elders tend to look down on them because of their age, but with youths, it is easier to speak openly about these challenges.
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