Imane Khachani

HIV / AIDS - Morocco (Maghreb and Middle East)

Since the discovery of HIV in 1981, more than 20 million people have died from the illness and 42 million others are now carriers of the virus. Due to the absence of a vaccine and curative medicines, the only effective way to fight the illness is through prevention. This demands open dialogue between all members of society about the incidence, transmission and prevention of this life threatening illness.

Imane Khachani works for the Association of African Women for Research and Development, a pan-African non profit organization based in Dakar, whose mission is to promote the socio-economic rights of African women. Imane will address issues relating to HIV / AIDS within the African community while presenting a series of educational conferences directed towards young people. The youth of Morocco is susceptible to a high risk of infection, stemming from false precepts concerning the disease, ignorance towards the transmission of HIV/AIDS, and an indifference towards safe sex practices. With the support of local schools and universities, Imane hopes to lift the taboos regarding sexuality in her community by conducting sessions that target young people in order to facilitate healthy discussions about sexuality and the dangers of unprotected sex. Imane will work in partnership with the department of education, the department of health, community based organizations, and students to realize the goals of this awareness raising campaign.