Zimbabwe – Advocating for an HIV free generation-prevention is better than cure

An HIV free generation is possible; it only requires commitment by residents. It can be achieved through raising awareness to residents on the need to prevent HIV infection. HIV is the leading cause of death and diseases in women of reproductive age and economically active people.60% of people living with HIV are women. Men and boys are affected by gender expectations that may encourage risk taking behaviour, discouraging accessing health services and narrowly define their roles as partners and family members. Rate of HIV testing is lower among men to women.

To address the problems brought by HIV and AIDS, we came up with this project which seeks to get rid of HIV and AIDS in Kadoma to restore health increase life span, reduce the mortality rate and reduce the cost involved on treatment .It also seeks to achieve equal responsibility in HIV prevention between men and women.

The project aims to achieve an HIV free generation and to restore health of residents. It also opts to reduce the cost involved in treating and maintaining HIV patients. Prevention of mother to child HIV transmission is also one of the project’s objectives. Also to improve quality of life of the children.

The invention has fostered partnership and coalition building. These partnerships were mainly at local level. Our partners include Kadoma city council, schools, business community, residents association, community members and council is a Gender Centre of Excellency. We have been working closely with gender links the national secretariat of the alliance in developing gender aware policies and implementing activities that contribute to fulfilment of the SADC protocol on gender.

Women in Kadoma were empowered to make decisions regarding their sexuality and reproduction (family planning). There is an increase of women who practice safe sex to protect themselves from HIV. This project have empowered women by initiating income generating project so that men will not take advantage of them because of their financial barrenness.