HIV/AIDS is shrouded in taboo, and discussion, especially in public places, is avoided in many cultures. In Kenya’s Garissa County, Islamic Relief and UNAIDS are pioneering conversations that challenge deeply entrenched myths and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS. Faith and community leaders are stepping forward to engage in open dialogue, breaking down one of the barriers that has held back progress in combating the epidemic.
In many cultures, the mere mention of HIV/AIDS is met with silence, shame, and fear, rooted in traditional beliefs, cultural sensitivities, and misinterpreted religious doctrines. The Kenya National AIDS & STI Control Programme (NASCOP) 2020 estimated that over 2,000 people in Garissa County were living with HIV/AIDS, and projected 56 new infections annually. The social stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS often prevents those at risk from coming forward for counselling, testing and treatment.
Islamic Relief is fostering an environment of understanding, education, and empathy by initiating a series of workshops within Garissa County to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS by blending medical knowledge and religious scriptures. The Qur’an and Hadith explicitly prohibit any form of discrimination and strongly emphasise caring for the sick.
Through group discussions with faith and community leaders, Islamic Relief, with funding from the UNAIDS-PEPFAR Faith Initiative, is creating a safe space to engage in open dialogue promote better understanding when it comes to health through the lens of faith. With support from UNAIDS, 200 faith and community leaders were recently trained on HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence (GBV) and related stigma reduction.
The open discussion forums have enhanced the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among community and faith leaders in both Christian and Muslim communities’, encouraging outreach through faith community structures such as mosques and churches.
Increasing knowledge, changing attitudes
Ahmed Omar, a council member of the imams and preachers in the conservative community of Garissa is at the forefront of tackling HIVAIDS stigma. He includes HIV/AIDS in discussion in the Friday sermons at his mosque.
“HIV/AIDS was previously [seen as being] related to immorality,” he says. “Those infected would not visit the health centres for fear of stigma.
“After the workshops, we now have a different message for our communities because our faith calls us to be compassionate and caring to others,” he explains. “We have discussed prevention and care of those ailing from the disease. More people now know that AIDS is not a curse. A person can live long when on medication [and with] spiritual and physical nourishment. To demonstrate commitment and take a brave step using the faith led approach, we are now encouraging HIV testing for couples before marriage.”
Reverend Lazaro Musyoka is also advocating for change within the Christian community in Garissa Township. Recognising the urgent need to reduce the stigma associated with HIVAIDS, the reverend embarked on knowledge sharing at the church and in small gatherings.
“A person living with HIV/AIDS could previously be denied certain services from religious institutions. Knowledge from the workshops has reduced our fears of handling people living with HIV/AIDS. The workshops also provided an avenue for faith leaders to create rapport about an issue affecting our community,” Reverend Lazaro notes.
“By accepting and understanding HIV/AIDS, it is easier to convey the message and change people’s mindset so that people living with HIV/AIDS live with dignity without facing discrimination. We are informing them about the importance of knowing their status and avoiding transmission to others.”
Working with the Garissa County Ministry of Health, 50 teachers from 10 schools, 200 women leaders, and 1,000 learners received training to empower them as ‘change champions’ by increasing their knowledge of HIV/AIDS, GBV and the associated social stigma.
5 live radio talk shows were broadcasted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in the local dialects, Somali and Swahili, to raise awareness and change the community perception of how to cope with HIV/AIDS in the community.
Ibrahim Gedi, Garissa County Deputy Director of Preventive and Promotive Health Services who worked with Islamic Relief to deliver campaigns in schools, emphasises the significance of involving community and faith leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“By involving these opinion leaders, we tap into existing networks of authority and trust. The community attitude is changing. We have seen more people seeking HIV testing across the health facilities,” he says.
As the forums for open discussion continue to flourish, community and faith leaders are rewriting the narrative surrounding HIV/AIDS, creating safer communities where people are more accepting of those living with HIV/AIDS.
Training and awareness raising activities help change attitudes and lives. Please support Islamic Relief to continue this vital work. Donate now.
