A community-driven HIV awareness and prevention campaign is gaining traction in Umguza District, with local leaders reporting increased public participation, reduced stigma and growing uptake of HIV prevention services.
Speaking during a National Aids Council (NAC) media tour in Umguza last Wednesday, Ward 6 councillor Busisiwe Brown said collaborative efforts involving the NAC, community organisations and local stakeholders were yielding positive results in the fight against HIV and Aids.
Brown highlighted the success of a recent One Health Expo held in the district, where more than 9 000 condoms were distributed as part of a broader strategy to promote behavioural change, HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health awareness.
“We distributed over 9 000 condoms at the health expo,” said Brown.
“Before opening the programme to the wider community, we engaged artisanal miners and mine owners because they are among the key groups we wanted to reach with HIV prevention messages.”
She said the health expo brought together miners, villagers, young people and health professionals in a coordinated effort to strengthen awareness and improve access to HIV-related information and services.
According to Brown, Ward 6 has embraced a proactive approach in supporting HIV prevention initiatives through continuous awareness campaigns and partnerships with NAC.
“For every event that we hold in the ward, we invite the National Aids Council,” she said.
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“We fully support all their programmes, including the Sister-to-Sister initiative and other community awareness campaigns.”
Brown noted that attitudes towards HIV and Aids have changed significantly over the years, with more people now willing to openly discuss sexual health issues and seek support.
“When I first came into office, many people were hesitant to participate because of the stigma associated with HIV programmes. Today, community members are more open and willing to engage in conversations about HIV prevention and health, which is a positive development,” she said.
She also praised the impact of safe spaces and the Sista2Sista programme, which targets adolescent girls and young women by providing mentorship, health education and psychosocial support.
“These programmes are giving young people something to look forward to every week. They know there is support available within their communities and that they are not alone,” Brown said.
The councillor further revealed that several young people underwent HIV testing during the health expo and were immediately linked to counselling and support services where necessary.
Zimbabwe National Network for People Living with HIV (ZNNP+) Umguza district focal person Thembeni Sithole said community-based interventions remain critical in protecting young people, particularly adolescent girls and young women, from HIV infection.
“As ZNNP+, we work closely with the National Aids Council and the Health and Child Care ministry in implementing HIV prevention programmes in the district,” said Sithole.
She said the organisation was using the Sista2Sista platform to provide mentorship, life skills and HIV prevention education to young girls.
“We are helping these girls understand the importance of making informed decisions, protecting themselves and becoming responsible members of society,” she said.
Sithole noted that peer pressure and experimentation continue to expose many young girls to HIV risks, making sustained community education and support programmes essential.
Sista2Sista mentor in Ward 6 Shantel Chigumbu said the programme helps girls to socialise with their peers and learn from others about how to defend their sexual reproductive health rights.
“Girls learn a lot of things under the Sista2Sista programme, with the main emphasis being helping girls navigate difficult social situations,” she said.
“A lot of girls who have gone through this programme are doing well and the mindset of the community has changed.”
