Mentorship for Adolescent Women: A Pathway to HIV Awareness and Prevention

Abstract: Adolescent women remain disproportionately affected by HIV due to biological, socio-economic, and cultural vulnerabilities. Mentorship programs have emerged as a promising intervention to equip young women with essential knowledge, life skills, and support systems for HIV awareness and prevention. These programs provide structured guidance from experienced mentors, fostering informed decision-making, promoting safe sexual behaviours, and enhancing access to healthcare services. By creating safe spaces for open discussions about HIV transmission, prevention methods, and risk factors, mentorship programs empower adolescent women to take control of their health and well-being. Mentorship initiatives come in various forms, including peer-to-peer mentorship, community-based programs, school-based interventions, and digital mentorship platforms. Successful programs such as the DREAMS initiative and the GoGirls initiative have demonstrated significant improvements in HIV awareness, testing rates, and behavioural change among young women. Through mentorship, adolescent women gain self-confidence, leadership skills, and the ability to navigate gender-based barriers that contribute to their vulnerability to HIV. However, challenges such as cultural stigma, limited funding, and insufficient access to trained mentors continue to hinder the widespread implementation of mentorship programs