Boboro, 31 May, 2016 – Following field activities carried out by HIV/AIDS Section it is obvious to note that prevention remains at the heart of MONUSCO’s approach to HIV. Their sensitization activities involve the work to end HIV stigma and discrimination, which are the major barriers blocking access to HIV prevention, care, support, and treatment.

With the on-going joint campaign called Know Your Rights, initiated by UNAIDS and supported by MONUSCO, the development of life skills, education, and social mobilization to counter the stigma and discrimination have been intensified within the ranks of the Congolese National Armed Forces (FARC) and Police (PNC). Their family members and the local population living close to the military and police barracks have since benefitted from this initiative as well.

This campaign that is motivating people to be tested for HIV, also holds shape focus on civic education that encourages all uniform officers to respect state institutions, look after themselves, their families, and also protect others. This aspect of the campaign was demonstrated last 28 May, 2016, when the HIV/AIDS Section extended the sensitization campaign to FARDC military barracks in Boboro - a settlement situated some thirty Kilometres from Walikale Central in the North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

When the HIV sensitization team arrived the line of soldiers and their families began to grow, with many of them looking very anxious. This was during the second day of a three-day-activity to sensitize FARDC and PNC officers in Walikale as part of MONUSCO’s response to HIV and AIDS in the DRC. The campaign that is bringing HIV sensitization to the grassroots population, is also encouraging early HIV testing.

“A strong army needs to be healthy”, says FADRC Commander while welcoming the HIV sensitization team. “So we are happy that MONUSCO is able to provide these sensitization services not only to the FARDC but also to the entire population”, he confirmed while calling on each and every one to take advantage of the activities to know their HIV status.

The turnout was very impressive and massive as everyone seeks to know their HIV status. Most of the women at the event said they were very happy to know their HIV status. “This is a good initiative and we are very happy about it”, says one woman who told us that she would continue to sensitize other women about the dangers of HIV. “The fight against HIV concerns everybody and I am glad to be part of the activities today”, she concluded.

The event in Boboro was one of the three events that are being run in close coordination by MONUSCO and other local partners including RCID, a NGO with offices in Goma, Walikale, Rutshuru, and Beni. Looking ahead in the coming weeks, MONUSCO’s fight against HIV would be rolled out into rural areas where communities have less access to social services. The HIV/AIDS Section would be reaching out to communities, sensitizing them on HIV threats and providing them with support services, such as Voluntary Confidential Counseling and Testing (VCCT). At the same time, the Know Your Rights campaign that is being run by MONUSCO and UNAIDS focuses on Rutshuru and Beni as the next locations according to the programme of sensitization activities made public by the HIV/AIDS Section of MONUSCO.

By Joseph Tabung Banah