Padare partners chiefs to fight HIV

Ngonidzashe Mushimbo
The Daily News
13 February 2012

HARARE - Traditional chiefs in Mashonaland Central have put their shoulders to the wheel in a bid to fight HIV/Aids; gender-based violence and encourage men to come on board in Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMCT) programmes.Padare/Enkhudleni Men’s Forum is partnering with UNAids to implement the programmes throughout Zimbabwe in communities as well as at district levels, working hand-in-glove with the rural communities before venturing into the urban areas to strengthen the implementation of HIV awareness and prevention programmes in the country. UN member states unanimously set new targets that can bring an end to the HIV/Aids pandemic globally.

Padare/Enkhudleni and UNAids with the help of community leaders throughout Zimbabwe are working to halve sexual transmission of HIV, PMCT, reduce TB deaths in people living with HIV among other targets by 2015.Chief Murambwa of Mhondoro has played a significant role in calling for a district day of testing HIV/Aids in his home area in which many headmen were tested in front of their subjects. Chief Chiveso challenged men to be positive and play other roles other than being head of the family. “When I joined Padare in 2004, I discovered that death is high among young people and that we know the cause of the deaths. If nothing is done by 2015, most people will be dead. “Let’s be positive about being positive in everything that we do. I assure you headmen and chiefs will lead by example by spreading the awareness,” said Chief Svosve.

Chief Musana told the gathering that the time to take a change and positive attitude towards HIV/Aids has come.

Men are yet to come into terms with the PMCT programme. In Bindura district and the surrounding areas only, 258 men got tested compared to 4 052 women.

The community leaders and Padare/Enhkudleni Men’s Forum called on men to change their behaviour and be part of the fight against HIV/Aids and play an active in the PMCT programmes.“There should be behavioural change in men and an active role from men in the PMCT programmes to fight HIV/Aids,” said Chief Musana. Other chiefs vowed to put strict measures for one to take up a leadership role in their communities in order to drive men into the fight against HIV  and in PMCT programmes.

“If anyone wants to be a headmen or a community leader he should get tested first to know his status and go with his wife to the clinic and then we will see what we can do afterwards,” said Chief Mutumba.

Chief Mutumba added that the test results will determine the steps to be taken for a brighter future of the community and being positive always.

The local leaders called on for constant exposure of the youth and members of the community to the prevention programmes and implementation of HIV awareness. Although some of the harmful negative cultural beliefs are being successfully challenged through working with chiefs; a lot of work still needs to be done as some of the local leaders and members of the community still harbour the belief that men are more superior.

Padare/Enkundleni Men’s Forum director Kelvin Hasangwi told the Daily News that they want to play a pivotal role in the implementation of HIV/Aids awareness and prevention programmes starting at district level. “We are working with the chiefs to implement HIV/Aids awareness and PMCT programmes starting at district level in line with the new targets set by UN member states. “We will play a pivotal role as Padare to help end the HIV epidemic,” said Hazangwi.