LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION TOOLKIT FOR ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN INDIA 1•HIV/AIDS has emerged as one of the greatest threats to adolescents; this age group now accounts for
half of all new cases of the disease. Alarmingly, every 14 seconds a young person between the ages of
15 and 24 becomes infected. In addition, AIDS related deaths have orphaned 13 million children
under the age of 15. In sub-Saharan Africa, home to youth with the greatest numbers of HIV/AIDS,
nearly 8.6 million people have HIV/AIDS—two-thirds of whom are female. In South Asia, 1.1 million
youths are infected—62 percent are female. The rate of new infections is also growing rapidly in
many other countries including India. Discussing sexual behavior is a taboo in many countries; as a
result, many young people do not know how to protect themselves.
If these trends continue, the next generation of adults will face greater poverty and difficult
socioeconomic circumstances. The report estimates the economic benefit of a single averted
HIV/AIDS infection is $34,600 for a poor country, and the social benefits are even greater. More
investment must be made in youth-friendly services, family planning and education programs to
address the reproductive health issues of young people. Their educational and health status,
readiness to take on adult roles and responsibilities, and the support they receive from their
families, communities and governments will determine their own future and the future of
their countries.Source: United Nations Population Fund, State of the World’s Population Report, 2003
Young people hold the promise of our future. Working with and helping young people have always been a
priority across time and cultures. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has challenged us in exceptional ways to find the
means to protect and empower our young people to help them become happy, healthy adults. Life skills
offer an approach to contribute to the well being of our young and help them meet life’s many challenges.
PART ONE: Introduction to the
Life Skills Education Toolkit
he “Making one Billion Count” report of the United Nations Population Fund cautions
that the world is now home to the largest generation of adolescents in history. Of the
global population counting 6.3 billion people, 1.2 billion are between the ages of