cedep challenges government on hiv and aids

Dunker Kamba (BTM Correspondent)

MALAWI – 15 January 2009: Center for the Development of People (CEDEP), a non-governmental organisation in Malawi, highlighted the plight of HIV prevalence among men who have sex with other men (MSM) in that country recently during a workshop in Blantyre. 
  
With intentions to promote advancement of the minority and vulnerable groups in the context of human rights, economy, health, HIV and Aids and other social issues, CEDEP’s workshop discussed the issues the organisation deemed taboo to point out at national level in Malawi due to denial of MSM existence.

The workshop also discussed the results of a survey carried out in January 2008 among 200 MSM which revealed that HIV prevalence amongst this group is at 21% while the national prevalence is at 12%.

Florence Kayambo of Malawi National Aids Council, who has in the past questioned the visibility of MSM, attended the workshop.

In her speech, Kayambo encouraged MSM in Malawi to come out mentioning that she has seen people who are “open” about their real identities in Southern African Countries such as Kenya and South Africa.

“This has influenced interventions from their governments and other organisations to work hand in hand in implementing better methods of HIV and Aids and STIs prevention”, Kayambo claimed.
 
She pointed out that despite social, legal and religious taboos, “it is certain that gay people exist in every society” and that “there is a need to involve them in HIV and Aids programmes.”

CEDEP expressed its wish to frequently hold workshops of this nature to ensure a better health for all, and targeting people who are not represented at the national level.

It also noted that most HIV prevention messages in Malawi target heterosexuals therefore leaving the gay community in the dark on matters that affect them.

CEDEP concluded that many gay people in Malawi and some parts of Africa do not identify themselves as such because of the stigma and discrimination.
 
“As a result they may also be unaware of the health risks and fail to negotiate for safer sex. Therefore they seldom practice safer sex and risk becoming infected or transmitting the HIV and STIs to their partners”, CEDEP outlined.