If I kept it to myself - World YWCA

If I kept it to myself
Constance Shumba
Young women need to influence policy on HIV and AIDS.
The emancipation of young women by strengthening
participation in social movements and integrating
gender concerns in creating supportive and enabling
environments is key to the fight against HIV and AIDS.
In 2000, I wrote an essay for the Parliament
of Zimbabwe in which I clearly outlined that
parliament is not just a ceremonial body but
should enact laws that help curb HIV and AIDS.
I received a provincial and national award for the
best essay on parliament promoting democracy.
It was at this stage that I began to realise that I
had strong advocacy skills, which could increase
my sphere of influence.
I joined the YWCA in 1997, at the age of 15,
and was immediately trained to become a
peer educator on Family Health and HIV and
AIDS. I was actively involved in peer education
through my local branch Kadoma and was
branch President for a while. During that time,
I was elected to the National Youth Executive
Committee and in this capacity I attended
various youth trainings and meetings on HIV and
AIDS, which helped me develop my skills and
confidence in addressing this topic.
Over the years, the YWCA of Zimbabwe has been
instrumental in shaping my destiny; my passion
for HIV and AIDS work has increased since the
time I became a peer educator, and propelled
me to pursue a career. I now have a Bachelor of
Science in Health Education and Promotion from
the University of Zimbabwe. The course itself
was ideal as it recognised that improvements
in family and community practices are effective
ways of reducing the spread of HIV and AIDS and
dispelling myths surrounding it. It also helped to
better equip me on issues surrounding community
involvement, community participation and
sustainability of HIV and AIDS programmes.
During my time at the YWCA, we organised one
day peer education workshops for members and
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youth from the community. I was able to partner
with members of Youth Against AIDS, who also
joined our workshops.
Through the YWCA I joined the Africa Youth
Initiative Network (AYINET) and I am currently the
chair of the Zimbabwe Chapter. In AYINET, I am
involved in advocacy and work with youth from
diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds,
raising consciousness through some of the youth
and development talks we hold.
At AYINET, we are primarily concerned with
the issues of social justice, gender and public
participation in HIV and AIDS. This makes up
part of the strategic plan we are pushing to be
included in the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee
on Health. Another item on our agenda is
to put forward our recommendations on the
implementation of a workplace HIV and AIDS
policy for the private sector.
In October 2003, I joined the Ministry of Health
and Child Welfare Head Office as an intern for
a year in the Health Promotion Unit. During
that time, I took part in planning, monitoring
and evaluating various programmes. I also
participated in preparations for World AIDS Day
and the AIDS Week campaign, together with
the National AIDS Council, AIDS and TB Unit,
and other stakeholders. During my internship,
I worked as a member of the Information,
Education and Communication (IEC) material
design team for the World AIDS Campaign. My
duties included facilitating HIV and AIDS and
TB national workshops for the training of Home
Based Care (HBC) counsellors. I was also part
of the Red Cross Steering Committee for the
National Community and HBC Standards Kit