Under the programme, young people acting as peer educators from all districts will be trained in phases on ways to prevent transmission of HIV.

"The main objective of the initiative is to empower the young people with information, skills and knowledge related to the issue so that they can initiate actions in combating HIV/Aids," said UNFPA Representative Suneeta Mukherjee at a four-day training and planning workshop.

Organised by the Global Youth Partnership (GYP) Initiative of UNFPA, the workshop on 'Advocacy for prevention of HIV/Aids' began at the United Nations Population Fund (Unfpa) office yesterday.

A total of 22 youths took part in the workshop. They were selected from across the country under a UNFPA-Bangladesh project titled 'The Reproductive Health Initiative for Youth in Asia (RHIYA)'.

The youth leaders on return to their respective districts will organise campaigns to educate other youths on how to prevent transmission of HIV and eventually raise social awareness among the young generation about the prevention of the deadly disease.

Dr Bushra Binte Alam, national programme officer of UNFPA-Bangladesh delivered the welcome address at the opening session of the workshop.

Lead facilitator of the workshop Christian Gladel, technical analyst for HIV/Aids of UNFPA, said the GYP is a global advocacy campaign by and for the young people to ensure that policies, programmes as well as financial and personal investment in young people are taken into consideration by the policy makers while dealing with HIV/Aids issue.