Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
HIV prevention programming in Zimbabwe has been broadened to include economic empowerment initiatives for people living with HIV, leveraging support group networks to help them become more self-sufficient and financially secure.
Programmes implemented to address economic empowerment include the National Aids Council (NAC)-led Community ART Refill Group (Carg) model and the Sista2Sista model.
Under Carg, people living with HIV have embarked on various livelihood projects such as horticulture and Internal Savings and Lending Schemes (Isals). Under Sista2Sista, ambassadors have been trained to mentor 50 adolescent girls and young women over a one-year period.
Cargs are self-forming groups of HIV-positive individuals (on ARVs) living in the same community. These are clients who are clinically stable on ART and do not need to see a healthcare worker at every visit but can receive medication refills. Members meet monthly to review adherence, discuss health topics and support one another.
Each group keeps a refill monitoring tool that tracks who has collected medication, who might be defaulting, and who may need clinic follow-up.
Ms Sibongile Ncube (52), leader of a Carg in Empandeni area, said they have income-generating projects such as Isals and small gardens.
“We have support groups known as Cargs where we work collectively to support one another through our journey as people living with HIV. Our main focus is adherence to ART, but we have gone a step further to venture into income-generating projects.
“We have Isals and garden projects. Having Isals has empowered us, especially as women, as we have been able to gather money to start personal projects such as goat breeding and poultry,” she said.
Ms Ncube said the garden projects have helped improve access to a balanced diet, which is crucial for HIV patients. The Carg model empowers people living with HIV to take charge of their treatment and health.
Under the model, Carg leaders have been trained and deployed to ensure patients on ART adhere to their medication and to disseminate HIV and Aids-related information. The trained HIV ambassadors are mainly responsible for collecting ART treatment and distributing it to members in their localities.
They also facilitate peer support meetings and share information on HIV-related issues.
Ms Nonhlanhla Ndlovu, a mentor under the Sista2Sista programme in Matjinge Village, Bulilima, said young girls are being empowered economically.
“One of the dangers faced by young girls is financial vulnerability. Through the Sista2Sista programme, we educate girls on economic empowerment, looking at various income-generating projects they can embark on to earn an income.
“Some of these girls have children and need money to fend for them. Without any means of income, they risk sexual exploitation. We also educate young people on making responsible decisions and other HIV-related issues,” she said.
Under the programme, ambassadors mentor 50 adolescent girls and young women at a time. The Sista2Sista programme offers a safe space where adolescent girls speak with mentors and each other about their problems.
Girls in the club learn about sexual and reproductive health and rights, financial literacy and how to navigate difficult social situations, including coercive relationships.
Matabeleland South has an HIV prevalence rate of 15 percent and an incidence rate of 0,2 percent. All seven districts of the province have a prevalence rate significantly above the national average of 9,8 percent, indicating a substantial regional HIV burden that requires intensive, co-ordinated intervention.
Bulilima District has the highest prevalence rate at 17,6 percent, the highest in the nation. Three districts — Bulilima, Mangwe and Gwanda — exceed even the provincial average of 15 percent, suggesting these areas face the most acute challenges in HIV prevention and treatment services.
Matabeleland South NAC Manager, Mr Mgcini Sibanda, said economic challenges elevate HIV risk among adolescent girls and young women.
“Preliminary findings from the 2024 Adolescent Pregnancy Research conducted in Matabeleland South have identified several interconnected social and economic factors contributing to elevated HIV risk, particularly among adolescent girls and young women.
“Female financial reliance on male partners limits negotiation power in relationships. Addressing these drivers requires multisectoral strategies that combine economic empowerment programmes, gender-transformative education, community engagement on harmful practices and enhanced support services for young women at risk,” he said. — @DubeMatutu
