Uniting Against HIV:  RRP+, Stakeholders in Campaign for Adolescents & High-Risk Populations

As HIV, continues to challenge communities, amidst the shadows of stigma and discrimination, RRP+ is engaged in a campaign dedicated to foster awareness on prevention, care and treatment.

The campaign is a collaborative effort, drawing together different stakeholders in the HIV response, local leaders and advocates who share a common goal: to stop the spread of HIV and offer support to those affected: With a focus on Adolescent Young Girls and Women, and other high-risk populations.

Driven by the theme “Every Voice Matters”, the campaign started March 5^th in Rubavu district and on March 6^th   RRP+ joined by different stakeholders proceeded to Musanze district.

According to the HIV, STIs and Viral Hepatitis programs Annual report (2022-2023) by the Ministry of Health/RBC, Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) are among the most affected population and at risk of acquiring HIV. Positivity rate is estimated at 3% among high-risk AGYW, with a high positivity rate in Kigali (5%) and lowest in the western province (1%).

Through the already established cooperatives under RRP+, it is expected that their representatives will continue to educate their peers on HIV beyond this campaign. Currently, RRP+ has 12 NGOs, 300 cooperatives and 500 associations.  

Through this interactive session, participants highlighted the need to reinforce strategies to curb new HIV infections among high-risk individuals, including sex workers: from understanding the basics of HIV transmission to learning about prevention methods such as condom use and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), among other methods.  

In his testimony, one of the cooperative leaders in Musanze appreciated the level at which stakeholders are fighting HIV stigma and finding means of economic mitigation for People Living with HIV.

“I remember when I lost my first wife around 1997, i started looking for another partner to support me, but there were several rumors against PLHIV,…. I was lucky to be accepted by my current wife even after knowing I was positive. We now live as a discordant couple, …..by then the stigma we experienced was due to lacking a voice to express ourselves like today and we had no access to ARVs. We applaud Rwanda’s good leadership that puts into consideration all categories of people including PLHIV…”, he said.

The Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs Theobald KAYIRANGA pledged continued support from the local authorities to organizations in HIV response, as they strive to curb new HIV infections among different categories in the local community.

During the campaign, RRP+ also donated small livestock to members to support their income-generating opportunities & improving their overall well-being.

The chairperson of RRP+ Sylvie MUNEZA, reminded PLHIV to adhere to treatment and live beyond HIV, as they think of income generating activities, under the existing good leadership.

This campaign also recognizes the critical need for targeted interventions and tailored messaging. encourage AGYW and other groups of people to undergo regular HIV testing and counselling to know their HIV status and access appropriate care and support services.

From Rubavu and Musanze, the campaign will be spread to Nyagatare, Kayonza, Kamonyi and Nyarugenge districts