Women, girls and HIV/AIDS why we talk about women and girls it’s because they are very vulnerable people when it comes to these issues.

This is because women and girls fear the pandemic, HIV/AIDS is not just a purely health problem for women but among other, a gender and human rights issues. My article seeks to give an overview of this perspective woman and girls are particularly vulnerable to HIV, with about half of all infection worldwide occurring among them are these.

The vulnerability is due to these facts I outline

1.     Inadequate knowledge about AIDS

2.     Insufficient access to HIV prevention services

3.     Inability to negotiate safer sex and lack of female control on HIV prevention methods, such as moicrobicides a research which is still taking place in Zambia. We are still waiting for clinically trials which are yet to be seen

When we talk about gender we should understand the meaning of gender?

What is gender?

(a) The sexual division into male and female their shouldn’t be no discrimination according to male or female both be equal.

Biologically, the risk of HIV infection during unprotected vaginal intercourse is two to four times higher for women than men. This is because women have a bigger surface area of mucosa exposed to their partners sexual secretions during intercourse. Semen also contains a higher concentration of HIV than vaginal secration.also, semen can stay in the vaginal for hours after intercourse. Women therefore are inherently at greater risk than men of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted with an infected partner this is scientiftly proofed .

Why focus on women and girls on gender, most African governments, the business sectors and religious communities have begun working together effective intervention strategies to mitigate the effects of the epidemic. Women by virtue of being natural careers, tend to be the chief implementers of these interventions. Capacity building in mitigation is an empowerment tool they need to ensure infection does not spread and care is administered safely without prejudicing the women’s own health. Programmers for women’s empowerment need to focus on situations where culture traditions fuel HIV infections ,these are reasons why issues of gender should be looked on gender on the side of women and girls because all guilt and many challenges.

Grief and in some instances guilt, are challenges most women face when confronted with their HIV- infected newborn babies. It is therefore important that women know more about making informed choices on child bearing, pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding of their infants when living with HIV. Most countries in southern Africa have effective’s prevention of parents to child transmission programmers, which women can employ, only if they have adequately education about them. I talked to a lady in Congo DRC named Ruth and she had this to say

“, women in Congo and Africa at large are told not to talk about issues of sex in public even when you are being raped in your house. this is a taboo in African tradition but these days we are getting enlightened reason because of the radio we have in the market but still is not doing much because women in Congo DRC and Africa at large don’t support each other and this is the animal which is killing us has women and the women in higher position are using their powers wrongly and just want to be supported if the want to be voted back in to their sites “,

The shame of getting HIV positive results has often led many women to choose not to disclose or even seek assistance such as counseling and treatment. This doesn’t matter on the education of the women even if she is carrying a degree on her back or not educated they all think the same at the end of that day .

Appropriate HIV and AIDS education equips women with adequate knowledge on how to prevent further infection as well as positive living and treatment of opportunistic infection. Women need to learn that testing HIV positive does not too late to negotiate safer sex in their relationship to avoid further re – infection.

There should be basic health precautions: the use of gloves when bathing or dressing wounds, thorough washing of utensils used and ensuring a clean environment are some of the measure of the caregivers.

Instances where an injection has to be administered, care should be taken to ensure the caregiver does not get pricked. in the event of such an accident, medication known as post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) would need to be administered, would need to be administered within 72 hours of the mishap. Should one be caring for an infected partner, safer sex should be practiced such as the use of condoms?

Effective challenging of traditional rituals that put community members at risk. The washing of corpses (usually by women) as a means of bidding farewell is common in most communities in southern Africa. It is becoming increasing popular in some communities to wear gloves while washing a corpse, through in some areas funerals parlous have taken up his role advocacy campaigns against wife inheritance contribute in lessening the spread of HIV.

However the traditional concept of caring for the deceased family can be done without invoking sexual intimacy.

Protection of children from sexual abuse. This is essential in dispelling the many myths that have resulted in the abuse and in most instances, HIV infection of minors, particularly girls. Empowering the girl child with knowledge of HIV and AIDS and encouraging dialogue contributes to mitigation advocating for the empowerment of the girl child against gender injustices helps in creating a non- threatening environment, safe from inadvertent HIV infections.

Gender and Human Rights in 1993 vienna declaration and program me of action state that the human rights of women and of girl – child are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights. It has since been acknowledged that violence against women hinders them from achieving the objectives of equality, development and peace. It is also according to the 1995 beijing declaration and platform for action, barrier to  the enjoyment by women of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women are, according the Millennium Development Goals, effective ways of combating poverty, hunger and disease and stimulating sustainable development.

Gender – based violence and the fear of violence affect women’s ability to prevent transmission of HIV and compromise their access to a range of services, including testing and treatment. Women also often experience further violence once they are or perceived to be infected.

WOMEN, GIRLS AND HIV/AIDS

Women, girls and HIV/AIDS why we talk about women and girls it’s because they are very vulnerable people when it comes to these issues.

This is because women and girls fear the pandemic, HIV/AIDS is not just a purely health problem for women but among other, a gender and human rights issues. My article seeks to give an overview of this perspective woman and girls are particularly vulnerable to HIV, with about half of all infection worldwide occurring among them are these.

The vulnerability is due to these facts I outline

1.     Inadequate knowledge about AIDS

2.     Insufficient access to HIV prevention services

3.     Inability to negotiate safer sex and lack of female control on HIV prevention methods, such as moicrobicides a research which is still taking place in Zambia. We are still waiting for clinically trials which are yet to be seen

When we talk about gender we should understand the meaning of gender?

What is gender?

(a) The sexual division into male and female their shouldn’t be no discrimination according to male or female both be equal.

Biologically, the risk of HIV infection during unprotected vaginal intercourse is two to four times higher for women than men. This is because women have a bigger surface area of mucosa exposed to their partners sexual secretions during intercourse. Semen also contains a higher concentration of HIV than vaginal secration.also, semen can stay in the vaginal for hours after intercourse. Women therefore are inherently at greater risk than men of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted with an infected partner this is scientiftly proofed .

Why focus on women and girls on gender, most African governments, the business sectors and religious communities have begun working together effective intervention strategies to mitigate the effects of the epidemic. Women by virtue of being natural careers, tend to be the chief implementers of these interventions. Capacity building in mitigation is an empowerment tool they need to ensure infection does not spread and care is administered safely without prejudicing the women’s own health. Programmers for women’s empowerment need to focus on situations where culture traditions fuel HIV infections ,these are reasons why issues of gender should be looked on gender on the side of women and girls because all guilt and many challenges.

Grief and in some instances guilt, are challenges most women face when confronted with their HIV- infected newborn babies. It is therefore important that women know more about making informed choices on child bearing, pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding of their infants when living with HIV. Most countries in southern Africa have effective’s prevention of parents to child transmission programmers, which women can employ, only if they have adequately education about them. I talked to a lady in Congo DRC named Ruth and she had this to say

“, women in Congo and Africa at large are told not to talk about issues of sex in public even when you are being raped in your house. this is a taboo in African tradition but these days we are getting enlightened reason because of the radio we have in the market but still is not doing much because women in Congo DRC and Africa at large don’t support each other and this is the animal which is killing us has women and the women in higher position are using their powers wrongly and just want to be supported if the want to be voted back in to their sites “,

The shame of getting HIV positive results has often led many women to choose not to disclose or even seek assistance such as counseling and treatment. This doesn’t matter on the education of the women even if she is carrying a degree on her back or not educated they all think the same at the end of that day .

Appropriate HIV and AIDS education equips women with adequate knowledge on how to prevent further infection as well as positive living and treatment of opportunistic infection. Women need to learn that testing HIV positive does not too late to negotiate safer sex in their relationship to avoid further re – infection.

There should be basic health precautions: the use of gloves when bathing or dressing wounds, thorough washing of utensils used and ensuring a clean environment are some of the measure of the caregivers.

Instances where an injection has to be administered, care should be taken to ensure the caregiver does not get pricked. in the event of such an accident, medication known as post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) would need to be administered, would need to be administered within 72 hours of the mishap. Should one be caring for an infected partner, safer sex should be practiced such as the use of condoms?

Effective challenging of traditional rituals that put community members at risk. The washing of corpses (usually by women) as a means of bidding farewell is common in most communities in southern Africa. It is becoming increasing popular in some communities to wear gloves while washing a corpse, through in some areas funerals parlous have taken up his role advocacy campaigns against wife inheritance contribute in lessening the spread of HIV.

However the traditional concept of caring for the deceased family can be done without invoking sexual intimacy.

Protection of children from sexual abuse. This is essential in dispelling the many myths that have resulted in the abuse and in most instances, HIV infection of minors, particularly girls. Empowering the girl child with knowledge of HIV and AIDS and encouraging dialogue contributes to mitigation advocating for the empowerment of the girl child against gender injustices helps in creating a non- threatening environment, safe from inadvertent HIV infections.

Gender and Human Rights in 1993 vienna declaration and program me of action state that the human rights of women and of girl – child are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights. It has since been acknowledged that violence against women hinders them from achieving the objectives of equality, development and peace. It is also according to the 1995 beijing declaration and platform for action, barrier to  the enjoyment by women of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women are, according the Millennium Development Goals, effective ways of combating poverty, hunger and disease and stimulating sustainable development.

Gender – based violence and the fear of violence affect women’s ability to prevent transmission of HIV and compromise their access to a range of services, including testing and treatment. Women also often experience further violence once they are or perceived to be infected.

The high level of gender – based violence in Africa is preventing many women from accessing HIV/AIDS services according to a new report by Global Human Rights Watch.

The researchers warned that the ability of African women to get HIV/AIDS counseling testing and information has been “seriously impaired by the perceived and real control of men {particularly intimate partners} over their lives.

Hidden in the mealie meal gender based abuses and women’s HIV treatment in Africa Congo DRC AND Zambia it was found that many women were taking life – prolonging antiretroviral (ARV) medication with out informing their husband and were forced to resort to extreme measures to hide their medication.

Some of the women testified that thy dug toles in the ground or a flowerpots to hide ARV’s these women then retrieved the medicine which they must take for the rest of their lives twice everyday and then hid it again “said the report, which documented various abuses that obstruct Africa women’s ability to start and adhere to HIV treatment regimens.

According to UNAIDS, about 1.6 million of the 11.7 million population are HIV positive 57 percent of them women. But only 100,000 people are receiving ARV’s from the governments free treatment programme.

Congo DRC and Zambia which has one the world higher HIV/AIDS infections rates has set ambitious targets for rapidly scaling up HIV/AIDS treatment as part of its commitment of ensuring universal access of AIDS treatment by 2010 but researchers say women’s unequal status will greatly undermine the success of the programmers’.

Ignoring gender issues

“Government is paying little attention to gender dimension of treatment, especially the impact of entrenched discrimination and gender – based violence and abuse. This must change if HIV treatment is to be provided equitably.

I asked a woman who refused to be named and this is what she said”

I fear to tell my husband {about my HIV STATUS} because I fear that he can shout {at me} and divorce me he uses bad language with me.

“ I hide the medicine, I put it on a plate add mealie (maize meal) so when he takes the lid off he medicine l have to make sure that he is out side, has a result of such.

That is why l forgot to take medicine four times since l started treatment last year he hit me around the back with his fist”,

The kind of treatment is pulling down development in Africa and with the way things are going on African countries wont reach the MDG’s by 2010.

So we beg the women in the high position to proved such service and voice out of the African women legal protection for the African countries to reach the MDG’s

Based on the knowledge grained from the scientists and the people with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) about treatment of HIV/AIDS with the drug called Antiretroviral (ARV)

Science has shown that people with the HIV/AIDS often become more frustrated with the management of the disease many are willing to try anything with the hope of staying healthy and living longer.

What is HIV/AIDS

Human immune deficiency virus (HIV) causes infections in the humans science has shown it and proofed it. It passes from one person to another through semen vaginal fluid, blood or breast milk. The most common way to get infected with HIV/AIDS is through unprotected sexual intercourse, HIV can also be transmitted(passed to another person) through injections , needles or blades that have been used on another person with HIV.Babies can get infected in the womb during birth or through the breast milk in their mother’s who has the virus. The does not happen every time soothe baby of an HIV positive mother might be HIV negative with the help of the clinical trials that care on going already introduced which is Prevent of mother – to –child transmission done with the help of the drug called antiretroviral drugs.

There are types in HIV, investigations have been and clinical trials where done and under taken and they showed to be two types these are HIV type one and HIV type two.

At first, HIV infection does not make a person very ill. He/ she may continue to have a healthy life for some months or many years sciencfity after eight years.

Medically it say’s that antibodies to be destroyed there should be eight years for someone to start indicating sign’s.

After some time person’s with HIV may start to lose a lot of weight, feel very tired and be unable  to do all their usually daily activities. Illnesses also start to happen especially infections such as tuberculosis (TB) herpes zoster (shingles) and other skin or chest infections these are called opportunistic infection – the effects of HIV on the immune system provides opportunities for these infection attack……

If people with AIDS do not get treatment they will gradually become very ill and are likely to die science has shown that their immune system can not with stand pressure of other opportunities infections that’s why they die easily.

Science shows if a person whose HIV positive develops to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) scientifly that person system has become weak and cannot repair or defend the body in the usual ways that keep humans healthy.

What Does a person with HIV Need

A person with HIV needs a lot of support psychosocial and economically, this should be done through their community, family and doctors. Treatment for people with HIV (PLWHA) should be comprehensive. This was medically proofed by the medical works in the biggest hospital in Zambia called university teaching hospital (UTH) which is based in the capital city of ZAMBIA the town called Lusaka.

What treatment is possible for a person with HIV

A person with HIV can get different kinds of treatment, both for the illnesses caused by HIV and for fighting the virus itself.thr simplest treatment is to make sure that a person with HIV can always get good food  that contain components of micronutrients, macronutrients and fibre.

Medical has shown a result that a person with HIV needs frequently medical checks ups due to the opportunistic illness such has TB, skin or chest infections.

HIV infection itself can be treated with the drug they are called antiretroviral (ARV) they reduce the effects of the virus and enable a person to become healthy again but they do not completely cure HIV infection .

What is ARV Treatment

Antiretroviral (ARV) treatment is for HIV infection that includes using drugs that interfere with the way that HIV virus reproduces in the body.

Zambia has come up with a different treatment which is going on clinical trials at the centre of excellence which has been funded by the ministry of health. This is the crocodile fat which has sciencfity and medical be tested and it’s being tested. The antibodies that are found in the crocodile are fighting the HIV virus and the people living with HIV (PLWHA) who are on these clinical trials  have showed a good indication . With is kind of science may be one day we will lend to the cure.

Mary Sathulu

HIV/AIDS REPORTER

Freelance/ journalist

AIDS is a serious killer these days, l will fight the bull by its horns when it comes to awareness.

Papua New Guinea has reached epidemic proportions.

A UNAIDS report released on the 21 November 2005 says since 1997 HIV diagnoses have increased by 30 percent each year. By using condoms people can protect themselves from the disease but how do they obtain them easily. People had to say this when asked about the condom tree “Jonas had to say she’s saying condoms are easily found but the manner they have being distributed is very frustrating where by you are in a chemist and there are a lot of people you cant just buy ,reason because they will think you like sex so much it’s just a mind set of an individual that’s how its made. hospital’s also are very humiliating because when the medical people give you and say you should use condoms because you are sexually active and its not suppose to be like that so has a result we kill our selves because we fight with our mind sets so the promotion of the condom tree is a good thing because one could just pick up the condom at any time one wants this is all l have to say has Jonas a person from Papua new guinea.

A support group in Guinea has come up with “what” they are calling condom tree, condoms now come on trees.

Dispensing boxes are nailed to the trees allowing people to pick up condoms anytime. The so called condom tree is helping a lot of people because , condoms are at people’s dispose any time. This tree is helping to protecting freely available time for anyone, which is very important if worldwide had this project it would make HIV/AIDS free and would reach the MDG by 2015 . this is a very good HIV/AIDS awareness if countries could share ideas this would be a better world to live in HIV/AIDS free .

1st March 2007 brought in Democracy to DRC which has been restored within few months now after the elections for Presidency, are along the line a brilliant and talented business man by the name of Moise Katumbi was elected has a governor of his province by the voice of the people who trust that Moise Katumbi can work hard in turning Congo mostly Katanga Province to life by giving it a good shape to the eyes of the people at large.

Moise Katumbi is famously known as a big timer business man who had made it in life. Who also settled in Zambia for sometime but who eventually left after the sadden death of his family member who was so close to him. So he relocated to Congo the rest is history etc…

8th May 2007 Australian Freelance Journalist caught up with the Governor of Katanga in Congo DRC and this is what the Governor had to say on how they plan to keep peace and develop Congo with the newly elected President who had brought in Democracy.

The Governor said Congo is slowly developing aftermath of democracy has brought so many things to life etc… the problem of electricity power has been the major thing at hand where by the whole province would be in black outs for so many years times weeks. But ever since he was brought in office that was the thing he worked on Congo doesn’t have blackout any more its history.

Looking at the time he has been in the office it’s barely two months and the people of Katanga Province had this to say…

Governor has made sure there is gender equality and most of all labour laws are take in consideration where salaries paid to workers are able to feed their families abuse of workers is not their by investors. Girls or rather women have the right to go to school than being forced in marriage they don’t want such laws are past already in the law of DRC has in the aims of the court. One would say proudly that change is on the way. Some people had this to say this about the Governor his a person who hears the cry of people and such it puts DRC at the faster rate for development to reach any other SADC country in no less than time.

Governor said that his province being the richest in minerals it put DRC at a faster rate in the sense that the minerals will build the country through revenue that it will bring in. And the issue which is at hand is the export of raw copper to other countries which the Governor said that they will be losing revenue on exporting raw copper a lot in that it would bring the country backwards. ….. now they will export copper as a finished product so that DRC doesn’t lose out.

Looking on the issue of putting systems in place on the area of employment, he said this is really a major problem which can’t be solved in a day but as months and years go on the system would have improved. We talk of teachers bring employed just after finishing their studies into schools has been it’s a big problem because we lack systems this goes to Nurses and Doctors he said in his term of office he will use it wisely by achieving this important system making sure the Ministry such as Education, Health and Local Government and Housing are carefully looked into by the end of his term, systems will be right, this is a promise by the Governor. Careful when making promises because people don’t forget easily they make sure you pay to your promises. He said people’s voice comes number one if they won’t be happy with his works the Governor will be willingly to step down and leave the office for another person.

MDG’s Millennium Development Goals DRC is off the track for so long because of war people run away and left their offices this was the case but now that there is democracy and I Moise Katumbi will make sure that Congo is back on track. And the fact that United Nations office are here already we just need human resources this is what the government is working on.

Because of war, so many Congolese crossed boarders but now we are calling them back to help build Congo and put it on the right track in terms of so many things not only MDG’s.

Congo has been on war for a long time and serious war for that matter. I personally feel the rebels who went to the bushes are animals not people because it hurts me to see so much blood being shed for a long time. Coming to your question how will we maintain or keep peace. I feel and think the almighty God has intervened in Congo and has government no one will allow rebels to go back to the bush. If parties don’t agree on certain issues no one should fight but iron and table the issue at hand by talking about it and making sure certain views are taken in account.

Being it that a country which has been in a serious war there is fear that anything can come up as you and I know time is a greater healer to everything. With democracy there is no war so the government has promised to maintain peace that’s why there where elections

Congo will eradicate poverty by putting in small grants to the communities has you know Congo is a big Country which is highly populated these grants will be given through government departments which will help people to do business and feed their families. These systems are already in place and some are getting these grants. E.g at my office their are elderly women/men who clean the streets of Lubumbashi so by doing, so some how we are eradicating poverty you know this can not be done in day but has years go by am sure would have reduced on the rates of poverty.

Education this is a sector where it’s very sensitive how we achieve the universal primary education because of war so many parents withdraw their children from the schools. A lot was damaged in terms of schools which even put University of Lubumbashi in jeopardy. Which is going under good make over or rather facelift so that people return to schools, get their education being a key to each and every child’s life.

Gender equality being one of the MDG’s goals my government has empowered a lot of women and the parliament has women MPs and women’s desk that talks about issues of women has being mothers of the country.

The issue of gender equality is very sensitive since me the reporter I happen to be women/lady moved around and talked with few women and this is what they had to say.

Women strongly feel there is no improvement on gender equality. Women are their in parliament but their mouths are closed because Congolese men think that a woman should be in the kitchen and produce children. So all these NGO’s opened are only headed by men. The other problem is that women don’t support each other by so doing it puts the Governor in a difficult situation to try to change this culture which is in women the animal of not supporting and understanding each other. But the Governor is trying heard to change. That’s what certain women had to say bout gender equality in “Congo.

I myself being a female Journalist I felt the impact on the issues of gender equality. I had a very bad experience that to some part I had to emphasis that even if am looked down on as a women we are equal in God’s eyes. The people mostly men had this bad feeling about me and being a women they just didn’t like me at all, again the other thing women are graded has sexually objects for them to get something they don’t want a strong women. That woman will be showed the door and they will make things difficult by all means. Women don’t know how to use their rights being that men are the one holding high position women are used has sexual objects and women don’t speak up for such abuse, I don’t know why. Because they have fear of their jobs or other reasons. I personally showed them I could be a woman but am strong like a man and by being strong I managed to finish my mission.

The Governor had this to say on the gender equality issue.
Governor is passionate about the African woman and he gives great respect to the women its; why his working on trying to change the mind set’s of men in Congo by not thanking of women being sexual objects. He said a woman will never forget her family e.g. A women would get a $5 from an account without asking her boss but by doing so she wont sleep instead think the all night on how to replace the $5 back in the end she will eventually return the money back. By doing so a women is developing the country forward. But a man will steal $20 today and he will start planning on how to steal $100 again by doing so men destroy the nation in the end he said women are good leaders and should be treated with equality towards work.

Myself as a Journalist experienced the painful treatment women who stand their grounds go through. I am sure this hasn’t been brought to the Governor if he knew some of his people he would have fired them. Yes the brilliant and talented Governor really will and has brought change to Congo it’s the people who will draw his progress backwards his really working hard.

As the saying goes a rich nation needs to be healthy. Governor had this to say looking at this deadly animal which is killing the young and the old this is AIDS he said, Congo has the lowest rate which can be 6% are HIV/AIDS positive but again since he is the Governor programmes are put in place to educate people on issues of being faithful to their wives and husbands. Always use protection during sex. And people should learn to control their sexual feelings. He encourages the peoples in Katanga to keep the rate of HIV/AIDS low and always go for VCT if one wants to marry.

Still on heath issues he had this to say about hospitals and clinics. He said each compound has a health center that is good a thing. His worry is the state these health centres are in horrible, where by his family can not go there. His government is working hard on improving these conditions. There is a medicine shortage in the health centres as for ARV’s they are easily found in these health centres. He said the thing that kills HIV/people is food because some don’t have money to buy food. As a Governor of Katanga I am working hard that every one who is sick is able to access drugs. The rebuilding of health centres is an on going programme until we reach a better state but this is done slowly in due time everything will be fine. So that if I am sick myself I can go to any of the health centres.

Health issue goes on as a saying! A nations health is a strong indictor of its’ prospect that’s why his Government is going to pump in money to improve the health centres because it’s a place where lives are restored.

As a Governor it’s a challenge to run a big province where everyone looks up to you and at my age its encouragement to other people. That’s if you are (Keen )enough to do something the sky is not a limit everybody can do it with well planning too.

Being a Governor for Katanga is a huge task because demands are high, and the province is highly populated it’s like you are running another country e.g I had to elect 12 Ministers for the province who will help with the provinces tasks and other demands

Elected has a Governor was not my wish it’s the Katanga’s peoples wish so enjoying I can’t really say I do because the Katanga people felt I should be a Governor . As you know I am not a politician I am a businessman. When the people elected me there was no choice but to save them and learn to start enjoying the works of a Governor in Katanga. If the people said there isn’t change, I would step down without complaining at all. Because it would be the peoples wish again and I should respect peoples views.

I want to leave a name as a Governance that I helped in rebuilding Congo to a peaceful country and improve health, education sector by doing so, my name will be on the walls for years that their was this Governor who brought in change.

In the next 3 years Congo will be a changed place also very peaceful that you can hear birds singing.

This has been the brilliant and talented man very understanding I personally say his just a wonderful person who can’t hurt anyone. His a kind person who understands each and every situation he finds himself in it and has a big heart his a national friend, father, and brother to all surrounding countries. Congo is blessed to have such a person. Has a Governor to bring the country forward. We can see light along the path of Congo and the man behind it is Moise Katumbi. It was a very good experience talking to you Governor.

You have changed my life too on how to respect people when they destroy you.
May God bless you.

CLOSING REMARKS
Moise Katumbi Champay is such a successful man who say’s there is no room for failure in one’s life.

Governor had this to say about himself. While we should seek to understand others, we should bear in mind that each person is a great mystery for us to approach with a deep sense of awe.

We should try not to reduce anyone anywhere to the set of countable historical data we have gathered about them.

Much time when you feel the pressure to describe someone in general categories you are most likely passing an unfair judgement on that person who may not fit the generalisation.

Whenever you can and this would eventually be always treat people as special unique individuals whose depth and breadth you cannot fathom.

There is always something great about everyone. Take the time and the interest to know those you do not like. You will discover that there is no barrier to you finally liking or even loving them.

As a leader, grow to deep sense of awe for each human being. Train yourself to honour and treat everyone you come across with utmost respect. Anybody who is likely to feel the effects of your position or office deserves your undivided attention. This is a matter for deliberate practice as well as spiritual disposition.

Have you ever felt what it means to be ignored by your boss or anyone elses with higher social status then yourself? Such an experience may not simply have hurt you. It may have also blunted your sense of personal worth. Just remember t not to ignore anybody who might be looking up to you for help or recognition. Others feel as hurt as you do when they are ignored. We should be attentive to everyone we meet.

People will seek to associate with you if they know that you will honour their story and really listen to it.

This is all I have to say thank you. Moise Katumbi Katanga Governor.

Isn’t he brilliant and talented?

In an Interview, she denounced the discrimination that PLWHAs suffer from all sectors of life and said that they are abused in many countries all over the world.

“Although we do not have cure for AIDS, we do know that consistent and courageous policies can halt the spread of the disease and let those infected with HIV live a normal and dignified life. Even though these countries have signed international agreements to do away with such practices, they do not fulfill their duties,” said Mumba.

She called on civil societies to fill the gaps and take up the role of advocacy and HIV/AIDS campaign while leaders and politicians should take a lead in this fight. Future generations depend upon decisions they are making today. The success of our fight against HIV/AIDS depends largely on the political will and leadership, both at national and international levels. The leaders have the means and ways to deliver a bright and future for our generation

The devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the lives of people in high prevalence countries such as Zambia has caused a threat to development, democracy, equity and human rights. Large numbers of people in their most productive years die of AIDS related illnesses daily. High levels of illness and death are eroding the capacity of the African Zambian government, the private sector and civil society to implement programmes and to deliver effective services.

Perhaps more than anything else, the disease stands out as barrier to reaching basic health levels and an acceptance quality of life for Zambians. HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria continue to spread virtually unchecked, thereby threatening the country’s already fragile economy and potentially undermining the welfare of the entire country.

Despite the fact that these three diseases are easily preventable and treatable, AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria have become the leading killer diseases not only amongst people living with HIV/AIDS, children below the age of five are also the most-disadvantaged too.

Over the past three decades, Public Health experts have identified a number of highly effective interventions to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria. If brought to scale, such efforts could change the course of these diseases.
However, achieving this scale-up will require a substance increase in resources and setting up priorities.

Universal Access to Treatment by 2010

To begin with, leaders of G8 countries acknowledge the need for resources in their 2000 meeting held in Oknawa, Japan, as did African leaders at a summit held in Abuja, Nigeria in April 2001. In Abuja, the then United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for the creation of a global fund to channel massive amounts of additional resources.

A United Nations General Assembly Special Session on AIDS in June 2001 concluded with a commitment to create such a fund, which the G8 endorsed and helped finance their meeting.

One of the most important innovations in the design of the Global Fund is the bringing together of the public and private sectors at all levels of the Global Fund’s and its recipients’ decision-making process. The Global Fund’s operational requirements mean that government institutions work closely with representatives of civil societies (including faith-based organizations), the private sector and communities living with the diseases.

Civil society organizations have also played a crucial role in advocacy from the PLWHA’s inception of the Global Fund, urging donor governments to allocate more funds to the organization to allow for increased access to Universal Access to Treatment by the year 2010. All civil society organizations have different skills and areas of expertise. We need to guard against the potential weakening of the international commitment for universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment.

At the recent G8 summit, held Germany in June this year, for instance, it was observed that commitment on AIDS treatment in Africa, and sub-Saharan in particular, is threatened as Africa needs Universal Access and not 50% Access by 2010.

Just as civil society is trying to energize the global response to reach universal access, considerations on slacken African governments, the last thing it needs is for the G8 to shift the goal posts. Communities have been mobilized towards voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), a critical entry point to prevention, and so we cannot hold back the tempo. We have raised hopes and created demand, and we therefore have a moral obligation to ensure treatment for all.

15% of the Annual Budgets to Health Care Campaign
“Investment in health is significant to resolving this situation” across Africa.
Public Health Systems are in a ramshackle state; as a result, over 8 million African lives are being lost annually to diseases, because people have little or no access to public health services.

Maternal and child mortality, HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis are the main disease affecting the populations, yet governments have under-invested in health need of citizens by governments.

The Heads of State, at the African Union (AU) meeting in Abuja, Nigeria in 2001 agreed to commit at least 15 per cent national budget to health. But six years later, only two out of 53 AU member countries have clearly met that pledge. The rest of the African leaders spend the lion’s share of budget on things that are not a priority.

Worse still, many of the governments are relying mainly on external efforts and donor funding to resolve their numerous Public Health problems. The leaders of these governments have no trust in the Health Care system of their own countries for treatment and are therefore not committed to resolving the problems.

During the People’s Summit held in Lusaka, Treatment Advocacy Literacy Campaign (TALC) joined the 15% Now Campaign, to advocate that African governments, as a matter of urgency implement their 2001 Abuja Declaration pledge to dedicate 15% or more of annual budgets to Health Care NOW!

TALC urged African governments to make the adoption of comprehensive health strategies a top priority, including the involvement of Health Care Workers, people living with the diseases and civil society in setting measurable targets of progress.

Brain drain in the Health Sector was also identified as a major factor contributing to the poor state of Health Care System in Africa. Some developed countries maintain domestic Public Health Policies that promote the recruitment of Health Care Workers from Africa.

Improving Health Care Systems in Africa will require developed nations to abandon such practices. Because developed countries have benefited from poaching African health care workers, they have a moral responsibility to promote the training of Health Care Workers to improve Africa’s Health Care Workforce.

However, ordinary citizens in Africa are not informed enough to lobby their governments to adopt proper Public Health Policies. The citizens are not adequately informed and it’s the job of organized Civil Society to inform and mobilize ordinary people to campaign for their right to health and life. Given the critical importance of good health to national development an obvious question is why African governments pay little attention to the matte.

“There’s a phenomenon that health is a private matter, but the truth is, every single citizen’s health issue, when brought together presents a collective challenge. We may die individually of TB, Malaria or HIV/AIDS, but collectively our deaths impact society as a whole. Ordinary citizens in Africa have two choices – either we campaign for our government to accord our right to health, or we continue to die.

Implementing the agenda of the 15 percent Now! Campaign, coupled with international donor support and policy change, offers the best chance for African governments to address the health need for ordinary citizens.

By Mary Sathulu

My name is Mary Sathulu based in Zambia. I am a Freelance Journalist currently corresponding with AUSAID.

I have specialised in reporting on HIV/AIDS and i also write development stories.

I hope to utilise this space in adding most of the stories that i do under HIV/AIDS and development.

Please comment on my blog so as to help me with issues that i will be posting on this space.