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Robin Muchetu in Rusape

ABOUT 15 000 new HIV infections were recorded in 2023 alone with over 9000 of the cases from women, a worrying trend that signifies the need to increase services to women and girls who are most affected.
This was revealed during the World AIDS Day celebrations in Rusape yesterday in Rusape, Manicaland Province by the Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Douglas Mombeshora.

“Although new infections have overall dropped, women continue to bear the brunt of the pandemic. Of the 15, 400 new infections recorded last year, women accounted 9,200 of them. Among adolescents, women also accounted for 1,500 of the 1,700 new Infections.

Evidence has shown that this is largely driven by gender inequalities and socio-economic vulnerabilities, that heighten exposure to HIV,” said Dr Mombeshora.

Additional to the high impact HIV prevention interventions already in place, he said the Ministry working together with the National AIDS Council, donors and partners to deliver key and targeted interventions including distribution and promotion of the female condom, the DREAMS and Sista 2 Sista programmes and various gender transformative programmes.
These models and interventions are meant to ensure that young girls remain in school longer and that child pregnancies and marriages are eradicated in line with Zimbabwean laws.

In addressing these vulnerabilities, he said they cannot leave men behind as their involvement is critical for both for their own health as well as in support of women and children.
Various male engagement interventions in this regard, including the brotha2brotha model have been scaled up.

National Aids Council (NAC) Chief Executive Officer Dr Bernard Madzima said communities must not forget the role they have to play in ensure there are no new infections.

“Even though our response to HIV has recorded tremendous progress and achieved the 95-95-95 targets, we continue to record new infections and people dying of AIDS. Over 15,000 new HIV infections and over 17,000 AIDS deaths were recorded in 2023, serving as a stark reminder that the epidemic remains vicious,” said Dr Madzima.

He said it is necessary to continue to provide leadership, harmonise and align the response in line with local and global standards and expectations to achieve and maintain epidemic control.
“We continue to scale up prevention and treatment services, so that everyone has access to them, in particular adolescent boys and girls, young women, sex workers and other vulnerable groups,” he said.

In recognition of the fact that HIV is associated with Tuberculosis, various non-communicable diseases, drug use, disabilities and mental health among others, NAC and various partners have begun integrating these diseases and vulnerabilities into the response.

United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator HE Edward Kallon said the celebrations also coincide with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

“The theme for this year, “Take the Rights Path” underscores the importance of human rights in the fight against AIDS. This observance finds itself amidst the ongoing 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, emphasizing the intersection of gender equality and human rights with the fight against HIV.

Empirical evidence points that young girls, women, commercial sex workers, and other key populations continue to bear the brunt of this epidemic, exacerbated by societal challenges like gender-based violence,” said HE Kallon.

He added that in Zimbabwe, young women account for 21.8 percent of new infections due to factors like gender-based violence and disrupted education from early and forced marriages.
“Marginalized groups contributed to 15.8 percent of new infections in 2022, underscoring the need for nuanced responses. If we take this rights path together, confronting stigma and discrimination (which stands at 69.7 percent) head-on, we pave the way for ending AIDS. Global and national solidarity in upholding human rights will define the legacy of our leaders, he added.

He said by preventing millions of new infections and saving lives, the country secures healthier futures for everyone, particularly those living with HIV infection.
@NyembeziMu