new infections. Prevalence is higher in urban than in rural areas (2.5 compared to 1 percent) and women, especially pregnant and young women aged 15-19 years are disproportionately affected. The 2010 Ante Natal Care survey data indicates a prevalence of 3.2 percent amongst pregnant women and 1,7 percent amongst young women aged 15-49 years (compared to 1.2 percent males of the same age). In 2008, prevalence was 1.3% among girls aged 15-19 years compared to zero percent for boys of the same age. There are an estimated 3,300 deaths due to HIV and AIDS and about 26,000 children orphaned by AIDS in the country (UNAIDS, 2012). 317. The higher prevalence among girls and high fertility rate among adolescents is of concern to the GoSL. Early sexual debut and teenage pregnancies are the key causes of the higher risk faced by young women which is compounded by lack of knowledge about HIV and AIDS, low condom use and poor attitudes towards people living with HIV. It is estimated that only 20 percent of the population and 23 percent of young people have comprehensive knowledge about HIV and AIDS. Condom use among 15 to 24-year-olds is only 12 percent. The GoSL is in the process of addressing these concerns and issues through a stronger focus on the provision of more prevention information to girls and adolescent, both within and outside of schools, making condoms freely available and providing more Sexual and Reproductive Health education. 318. In 2007, the Prevention and Control of HIV and AIDS Act, 2007 was adopted to “provide for the prevention, management and control of HIV and AIDS, for the treatment, counseling, support and care for persons infected with, affected by or at risk of HIV and AIDS infection and for other related matters”. The Act requires Local Councils to provide community-based HIV prevention and care services within their localities in collaboration with government agencies, NGOs and persons living with or at risk of being infected with HIV/AIDS. It also requires Government to make livelihood and self-help and cooperative programs available and accessible to persons living with the disease and to explore the possibility of providing insurance coverage for them. Various line Ministries retain overall responsibility through the appointment of a focal person attached to the Secretariat. 319. Sierra Leone’s HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan 2011-2015 documents the State’s national plan aimed at achieving zero new infections by 2015, focusing on evidencebased prevention interventions. The Plan is currently under review. The National AIDS Commission Act, 2011 formally establishes and legally mandates the national HIV and AIDS secretariat to oversee the plan. 320. The national comprehensive plan of action, which prioritizes women, girls and children, includes:  an Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission (EMTCT) programme which was launched by the President in 2010 and which is supported by PMTCT Guidelines;  a National Prevention Strategy 2011-2015;  a National Behavior Change, Communication and Advocacy Strategy 2011-2015; and  a National Education Sector Policy on HIV and AIDS which integrates HIV and AIDS into the national school curriculum. 84  Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone Initial Report on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child 2002-2014