On the occasion of the launch of the 30th awareness campaign against AIDS this weekend, Emmanuel Macron challenged young people on the use of condoms. Sidaction reveals that the fight against HIV still has a way to go.
Protect yourself. On the occasion of the 30th edition of Sidaction, the annual AIDS prevention campaign, the Head of State appealed to young people under 26 from his X account. “During this Sidaction weekend, a reminder important to everyone under 26: for you, condoms are free”, insisted Emmanuel Macron this Sunday March 24. “Continue to protect yourself,” he concluded, recalling in passing that 16.7 million male condoms “have been distributed in pharmacies” since January 1, 2023, the date the measure came into force.
On this Sidaction weekend, an important reminder to all those under 26:
For you, condoms are free.
Since my announcement, 16.7 million have already been distributed in pharmacies. Enjoy it. Continue to protect yourself!
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 24, 2024
Since Friday, the Sidaction association has launched its 2024 campaign calling for donations and raising awareness for the fight against the AIDS virus. The 2023 fundraiser raised 264,471,455 euros, which was donated to scientific and associative programs in France and internationally.
The way is still long
According to an Ifop survey commissioned by Sidaction, 64% of young people aged 15 to 24 “declare that they do not systematically use condoms”, underlines Sandrine Fournier, director of the financing division of Sidaction associations, reports BFMTV. In a press release, Sidaction also indicates that “prejudice and discrimination against people living with HIV, […] are progressing worryingly”. 44% of French people would be uncomfortable if they learned that the person looking after their children was HIV positive.