Feminature Uganda joins the rest of the world to commemorate World Aids Day 2019 under the theme, ‘Engaging Young People to champion the end of New HIV Infections.’ On December 1st, 2019, Feminature Uganda together with other partners in Arua district will take part in a march around the town and converge at the Arua Police Grounds to disseminate information on how to the pandemic.
UNAIDS estimated in 2018 that in Uganda, 1.4 million people (15 -49 years) are living with HIV and that 53,000 new infections were registered in the country in the same year. The country recorded an estimated 23,000 Aids-related deaths and efforts are being made to ensure that all persons, children or adults are started on Anti-Retro Viral Therapy. Currently, at least 73% and 66% of adults and children living with the virus are on ARVs respectively.
In her message to the people of West Nile, Annet Lekuru the Executive Director Feminature Uganda stressed that complacency and stigma are still a big hindrance to achieve zero new infections in the country.
‘Many people think that they are stronger than the virus thus do not take precautionary measures when having sexual encounters with their partners. Yes, it is true that correct and consistent use of ARV’s can keep persons viral load below detectable levels but one cannot be too sure as to whether their partner is actually consistent with their treatment. That feeling of calm among young people is worrying and if not handled now may explode’ she said.
With support from the African Women’s Development Fund AWDF, Feminature Uganda will this year focus its attention on access to HIV related information, testing and treatment services for Women Living with Disabilities such that they too access affordable HIV services within their communities. This is because, women, in particular, those with disabilities are disproportionately affected with inadequate access to HIV services, various political and existing cultural barriers hinder effective HIV prevention programming in the country with new HIV infections expected to rise.
Among the interventions, Feminature Uganda will produce an audio-visual documentary to be circulated at all major public health facilities in the district and produce Information Education and Communication materials in print and braille so as to reach a diversity of disabled persons especially women.
We also call upon policymakers in the country to relax punitive laws and stigmatizing attitudes towards men who have sex with men, sex workers, and people who inject drugs has meant that these groups most vulnerable to infection are far less likely to engage with HIV services.
