A glance at RRP+ Key moments alongside other participants at IAS 2025

The Rwanda Network of People Living with HIV (RRP+) is honored to have participated in the recently concluded 13th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science (#IAS2025) held in Kigali.

RRP+ extends sincere gratitude for having been granted the opportunity to share our community-led innovations, engage with global partners and experts, and contribute to critical conversations shaping the future of the HIV response. IAS 2025 was another chance for us to strengthen the voices of people living with HIV and showcase the transformative impact of community-driven approaches, as indicated in some of the captured moments before and during IAS 2025.

Pre-IAS 2025 Advanced HIV Disease workshop

This was an Interactive workshop conducted July 12, by RRP+ in partnership with the Global Network of People Living with HIV -GNP+ and AFROCAB network for community HIV treatment advocates across Africa. Participants from different countries shared community reflections and lived experience, stressing advocacy for sustainable and people-centered HIV services.

One of the standout voices, Jerop Limo, Executive Director of the Ambassador for Youth and Adolescent Reproductive Health Program (IRO Kenya), emphasized the critical role of youth inclusion in shaping HIV research and development efforts.

For the longest time, it’s been assumed that young people don’t belong in rooms where scientific conversations happen, but we are here to change that narrative. Communities especially young people must be heard when programs and products are developed,” she said.

Dr. Deo Mutambuka, Executive Secretary of RRP+, underscored the need to center community leadership and lived experience at the heart of HIV response.

“This event presents an important opportunity to elevate the voices of people living with HIV—not merely as recipients of care, but as experts whose lived experiences must shape policy, programs, and research,” he noted.

Established in 2003, RRP+ currently has 162,000 members countrywide and the network through collaboration with different stakeholders strive to see that they are fully engaged in HIV response.

Florence Riako Adam, Co-Executive Director of the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), highlighted how scientific breakthroughs are reshaping HIV treatment and prevention. She regarded IAS 2025 as a vital platform for scientists, policymakers, and communities to align efforts that can shape national policies and impactful programs.

“This conference is about sharing science new medications, treatment options, and integrated services that can reshape the future of HIV care,” she said.

Symposium on children and adolescent with perinatal HIV Exposure

RRP+ also featured in the 11th symposium on children and adolescent with perinatal HIV Exposure. It was a powerful moment as a mother living with HIV Potamienne Komezusenge and an HIV-negative female adolescent Janviere Uhiriwe Gihozo born by a mother living with HIV shared their journey. Their testimonies are a living proof that prevention of mother-to-child transmission works. 

Komezusenge knew her HIV status in 2005 but has HIV negative children and young Gihozo was born in 2006 by an infected mother though she is not living with HIV due to Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) program .Under this symposium, one of the takeaway messages is that with access to care and support, HIV-free generations are possible.

Mothers and caregivers

On the first day of IAS2025, one of the sessions held was  on mothers and caregivers, looking at the priorities for children with perinatal HIV exposure, where RRP+ was majorly involved, among participants from other countries.

The session brought together mothers and caregivers of children with perinatal HIV exposure, joining other participants to share insights on early testing, regular follow-ups, and adherence to care as key to raising healthy and HIV-free children.

Community Conversations on HIV and Cure

This was a side event that offered a vital platform to bring out voices & experiences. The event brought together researchers, advocates, people living with HIV and youth leaders to map community-driven strategies for ethical, sustainable and equitable engagement in HIV cure efforts.

A panel including African HIV researchers, long-term survivors, sero-discordant couples & Rwandan young people living with HIV discussed greatest obstacles to equitable access to HIV treatment and cure, how traditional knowledge can enhance research, what communication tools to use in research, among other scientific initiatives. Panelists included Dr. Daniel Campbell, Alecia Tramel McIntyre, and Dr. Thumbi Ndung’u from South Africa.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Sharon Lewin, former President of the International AIDS Society, emphasized the importance of exploring innovative approaches in HIV research—highlighting the role of clinical trials, including those utilizing mRNA technology.

Building partnerships

Beside the  IAS 2025, Dr Nada Fadul, MD and her team from Baobab African Scientist Alliance (BASA) paid a courtesy visit to the RRP+.  The purpose of the visit was to explore possible areas of collaboration in community health outreach and HIV services.

Talks centered around determining the best starting point for future opportunities including uplifting the peer education system and networking on scientific initiatives that benefit People Living with HIV. Currently, there are around 5000 peer educators working with RRP+, in collaboration with health facilities and other partners.

RRP+ through the Executive Secretary Dr. Deo Mutambuka also connected with representatives from AFROCAB Treatment Access Partnership, a network of African HIV advocates & community voices focused on driving access to high-quality HIV & co-morbidity treatments & prevention methods. This was also an inspiring moment at IAS 2025 in regards to forging partnership.

In-person Poster abstract exhibition & E-posters

RRP+ had eight abstracts accepted for the IAS 2025 Conference, 5 e-posters and 3 in-person exhibited during IAS 2025 poster abstract exhibition; one on strengthening the capacity of People Living with HIV through cooperative formation. Since its establishment in 2003, RRP+ has mobilized and empowered communities by forming over 500 associations, 300 cooperatives, and 12 NGOs—primarily made up of People Living with HIV.

Cooperatives encourage active participation in HIV prevention, care, treatment, and impact mitigation. The economic diversity generated through these groups highlights the strength of community-led approaches, as results indicate 58% of the members improved living conditions and nutrition, 59% have been able to support their children’s education, 81% now have access to health insurance and 54% meet other essential household needs.

The second poster  abstract exhibited during  IAS2025 ,highlights the integration of Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) care into Rwanda’s HIV Peer Education model at the community level. This is informed by findings showing that while 89.7% of over 4,000 Peer Educators are willing to support PLHIV in managing NCDs, only 9.3% have received formal training—underscoring the urgent need to bridge gaps in training and resources.

RRP+ also exhibited a third poster abstract on Physical and sexual violence among female sex workers in Rwanda, based on findings that 20.9% and 16.8% FSWs experienced Physical and sexual violence in their lifetime respectively. 33% of them faced both physical and sexual violence, calling for integration of violence protection & trauma informed care, to enhance the safety and well-being of female sex workers.

Symposium Session: Prioritizing Equity in the Integration of HIV Services

RRP+ was represented on a panel that discussed combining HIV services with general healthcare (integration) and  achieving  equal access, especially for people living with HIV who may need specialized, targeted services.

The panel discussed challenges that include stigma and discrimination, and what needs to be done for integration be achieved like redesigning systems that do not leave the community behind, providing differentiated community-led services, accessibility of services to key populations, engaging the private sector and Community-led monitoring.

“If integration simply places people into generalized health systems without rights-based safeguards, we risk to experience a step back in the response for answering the specific needs of people living with HIV and key populations, including the need for confidentiality and safe spaces. As we move toward integration, we must not lose sight of what makes HIV programming effective—meaningful involvement of people living with HIV”, Said Tugirimana.

As a community-led organization, RRP+ leaves IAS 2025 energized to continue their advocacy so that people living with HIV are kept at the center of HIV science, policy, and service delivery. The conference provided opportunity to showcase how community leadership, lived experience of PLHIV, and peer-led approaches are vital for impactful and sustainable HIV response.