Chronicle Editor
Robin Muchetu in Rusape
ABOUT 15 000 new HIV infections were recorded in 2023, over 9 000 among women, a worrying trend that signifies the need to increase services to women and girls who are mostly affected.
Health and Child Care Minister, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, revealed this during the World Aids Day commemorations yesterday in Rusape, Manicaland Province.
“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,” he said.
“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.
Over and above the high impact HIV prevention interventions already in place, the minister said Government was working together with the National Aids Council (NAC), 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 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 both for their 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.
NAC chief executive officer, Dr Bernard Madzima, said communities must not forget the role they have to play in curbing 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,” he said.
“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 was 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 Co-ordinator, Mr 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, emphasising the intersection of gender equality and human rights with the fight against HIV,” he said.
“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.”
Mr Kallon 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.
“Marginalised 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,” he said.
“Global and national solidarity in upholding human rights will define the legacy of our leaders.”
By preventing millions of new infections and saving lives, the country secures healthier futures for everyone, particularly those living with HIV. — @NyembeziMu
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