If I kept it to myself - World YWCA

If I kept it to myself
strong links to community outreach weakens the
link between prevention and care. I immediately
put into practice what I learnt; I began to
refer people to health centres and strongly
encouraged people to take their medication as
prescribed. I support initiatives by local nongovernmental
organisations that distribute
food packs to those living with HIV and AIDS
and promote positive living through community
education.
I participated in developing the National Gender
Based Violence Strategy with the Ministry of
Youth, Gender and Employment Creation,
as a YWCA representative, in March 2005.
As a young woman, I contributed on how
gender based violence affects us and why it is
important to implement the strategy proposed.
I also recommended stiffer penalties for sexual
offenders so as to reduce the incidence of such
crimes.
Over the years, I have gained exposure to
emerging trends, debates and decisions made
in relation to HIV and AIDS. I have realised that
working with communities on HIV and AIDS is
a process that involves good practice, good
infrastructure and good skills to strengthen all
aspects of organized society. Young women are
at a greater risk of being infected and, as long
as we continue to take the back seat, the issues
that affect us will continue to be ignored. Young
women need to influence policy on HIV and
AIDS. The emancipation of young women by
strengthening participation in social movements,
and the integration of gender concerns in
creating supportive and enabling environments is
key to the fight against HIV and AIDS.
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Born: 1982
Country: Zimbabwe
Organisation: YWCA, Africa
Youth Initiative Network
Campaigns for: effective ARV
treatment support for child
headed families and orphans