As tomorrows’ leaders of our society, youth determine the future of country in the decades to come. Providing them with accurate information and skills to make informed choices about their health will contribute to curbing the epidemic – a fact outlined in the National AIDS Control Program – III (NACP) of India.

Prevention education is the primary means by which STI/HIV infection can be tackled and curbed at the source.  Life skills based HIV information and education empowers young people to make decisions about their health.  In fact, evidence has shown that skills-based sexual health education in schools, where programs present accurate information, is an effective prevention strategy.

Essentially, RRCs are on-campus interventions (clubs that students join voluntarily) aimed at providing youth with accurate information on HIV/AIDS for them to understand their risk so as to eventually prevent cases.  The most active of the members of RRCs are trained as peer educators so that they can reach out to even more youth – both on and off campus. 

Red Ribbon Clubs are about celebrating life with responsibility, they are platforms for youth to have fun whilst developing the knowledge and skills to make healthy choices, and help others do so as well.  As a RRC member youth will be involved in designing and implementing activities to raise awareness on various health associated issues, particularly with regards to sexual health and HIV/AIDS. The RRC is been carried out in the 15 Partnering Institutes of APAIDSCON.

Goal:
To reduce the occurrence of new sexually transmitted infections (incidence), particularly HIV, among youth

Primary objective:

• To prepare youth as peer educators/agents of change both among youth as well as society at large by developing their skills on leadership, advocacy, communication and team building

Secondary objectives:

• To increase awareness among youth on sexual reproductive health and HIV/AIDS
• To impart skills among youth on self-protection, negotiation, and effective group interaction

Additional Objectives:

• To encourage blood donations
• To serve as forums for medical students to participate in the fight against HIV/AIDS

Activities to be undertaken by the club:
Red Ribbon Clubs undertake at least out one minor activity every month and one major activity once in two months .