Fighting back in Zambia against HIV/AIDS
Posted on November 26, 2007 - Filed Under AIDS, Africa |
As HIV/AIDS roars through Africa, how does government respond to such a crisis? In Zambia, starting in 2004, they banned condom distribution in all schools. Today, more and more young people of this African nation are afflicted with the virus.
iConflict friend and contributor Henry Namwenda of Zambia gave us some interesting information (as well as the photos from a recent meeting) on HIV/AIDS growth in his nation and what his organization, the Youth Development Foundation, is doing about it.
“The government of the republic of Zambia, in 2004 banned the distribution of condoms in schools. Part of the reason, as stepulated by the Education Minister then, Andrew Mulenga was that condoms promoted immorality.
Now, Zambia is one of the sub-Saharan countries, who are intensely affected by the HIV pandemic especially among young people. Sub Saharan Africa, represent 60% of the world wide population of People Living with HIV/AIDS.
My organisation, which works in the communities of the east of Zambia, will take to Lasaka (capita city of Zambia), 50 young people with an intention of lobbying the government to reverse the decision of banning condom distribution in schools.
The young people we have basically worked with, just want condoms to be distributed unlike just commanding them to abstain.
One pupil talked to, from a mentioned local school, attributed the ban of condom distribution to increase in donor funds in abstainance programs as influenced by the US government.
These young people will carry out this event on the 6th December 2007.”
Thankfully, there are smart people in Zambia, like Henry, who is challenging the status quo and fighting against byzantine government policies.
iConflict will follow Henry’s struggle to change government policy. If you support the efforts of the Youth Development Foundation, let them know!
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3 Responses to “Fighting back in Zambia against HIV/AIDS”
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Henry that is amazing. Keep up this noble effort. Is there anything that can be done to help you leading up to the rally?
Yes Paul, We need more press coverage on that day. We want the the event to be heard all around the world. But I Believe with iconflict everything is possible.
Thanks.
[…] iConflict contributor Henry Namwenda, of the Youth Development Foundation in Zambia, just sent us an update on his work in Zambia. […]