In commemoration of World AIDS Day, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, also serving as the First Lady, in Zimbabwe delivered a powerful speech, calling on community leaders to unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS and work towards eradicating the epidemic from the African continent.
The statement, issued by Mrs. Busola Kukoyi, Senior Special Adviser to the First Lady on Media, emphasized Mrs. Tinubu’s plea for active community involvement, as she stressed that eradicating the epidemic requires the collective effort of leaders across various communities.
The event, themed “Let Communities Lead,” was organized by the First Lady of Zimbabwe, Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, in anticipation of the 22nd edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STI in Africa (ICASA), drawing participants from the United Nations and sister agencies.
Expressing concern over recent UNAIDS statistics revealing 1.5 million new infections on the African continent in 2022, Mrs. Tinubu underscored the urgency for intensified efforts.
“For decades, the global response to HIV/AIDS has been driven by governments, international organisations, and healthcare professionals.
“While their efforts have been commendable, it is time to recognise the pivotal role that communities play shaping the response to this epidemic.
“Communities should be at the forefront of the fight against HIV/AIDS, and their leadership is crucial in achieving our goals of prevention, treatment and support.”
“The Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OFLAD), would be having a pre-conference high level meeting on Saturday under the theme “Addressing the Elimination of Mother to-Child Transmission and the Elimination of Newborn Infections in Africa.”
The conference aims to share experiences, provide recommendations, and devise strategies to eliminate Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV by 2030.
Addressing traditional rulers, religious leaders, NGOs, and other community influencers, Mrs. Tinubu urged them to redouble their efforts, emphasizing the pivotal role they play in achieving the goal of eradicating the pandemic.
“We are Africans. We are known for our resilience and tenacity. We must not give up. This we can do and we must do,” he said.
Earlier in the event, Mrs. Mnangagwa educated participants on the dangers of premarital sex, unwholesome medical practices, and youth vices.
“There is a need to stop the blame game between the men and the women and concentrate more on coming together to put an end to the HIV/AIDS pandemic,” she said.
The meeting featured presentations by Zimbabwean artists, emphasizing the crucial need for enhanced community involvement in the fight against the pandemic.
The gathering highlighted key initiatives such as the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission and the Elimination of Newborn Infections in Africa, underscoring the multifaceted approach required to combat the pervasive impact of HIV/AIDS across the continent.