Launch Score4Life Campaign launch

Alex Plaza, Johannesburg

Good morning and Thank you on behalf of the United States Government for the opportunity to participate in today’s event.

Today, 25 November, is the beginning of the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence". I am excited to have a captive audience of men to say that we applaud men who support their wives and daughters to live out their full potential.

We applaud men who are non-violent and find ways of dealing with everyday issues such as anger and depression, in ways that are healing. As we have heard this morning, South Africa is burdened by one of the most severe HIV epidemics in the world and has the greatest burden of HIV-infected individuals many of whom are young especially adolescent girls and young women.

HIV remains a priority focus for the US Government and we are proud partners with the South African Government and the National Department of Health though PEPFAR, the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. In order to control the HIV epidemic, PEPFAR is now committed to the UNAIDS 90-90-90 strategy, championed by your Minister of Health, Doctor Motsoaledi,  where 90% of all people are tested, 90% of those positive are initiated on treatment and 90% of people on treatment have viral load suppression.

This USAID PEPFAR supported initiative, strongly encourages more men to come forward to be tested for HIV, to know their status to assist the country to move forward towards achieving these goals.

The Score4Life campaign, which provides male friendly HIV testing services and having men know their HIV status also supports South Africa’s National Campaign She Conquers as well as the PEPFAR DREAMS (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS Free, Mentored and Safe) initiative of reducing HIV infection in adolescent girls and young women.

Innovation is a hallmark of U.S. assistance in the health sector and this is an innovative and vibrant approach to increase HIV testing and support the 90-90-90 strategy.

I am confident that our partnerships can help generate further innovations to benefit our health objectives. I’m proud that USAID through PEPFAR, has been a strong partner with South Africa in the fight against HIV and we will continue to partner because, despite great success, there is still much to do. Once again I applaud the South African Government for their commitment to the fight against HIV.

We look forward to working in partnership to support these efforts to change the lives of millions of South Africans for the better.

Thank You.