Statement at the Summit of African First Ladies on Children and HIV/AIDS Prevention

"We need to break the culture of silence and to confront the factors which contribute to the spread and recalcitrance of this disease. Let us continue being more open about the how HIV/AIDS is caused and how it can be prevented. The fact that literally it is the young people who are increasingly being affected shows that the prevention message is not reaching them. We cannot afford to remain silent while our youths and children are being denied a future." - Dr. Salim, May 22, 2001