The OneLove Campaign comes to Zimbabwe at a time when the HIV prevalence rate has continued to decline over the years, suggesting that our people are heeding the message of positive behavior change, said Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr. H. Madzorera.
He was speaking at the Official Launch of the OneLove Campaign on the 3rd June.
He says:
It is very important that we sustain the achievements we have recorded over years and scale up further interventions.
Many of you will recall that in 2006 Zimbabwe launched the National Behaviour Change Strategy, whose overall aim is the reducing new HIV infections.
So in launching the OneLove Campaign we are extending the objectives of the behaviour change strategy and maintaining continuity in our prioritization of HIV prevention.
I am very encouraged that the OneLove Campaign is an evidence based intervention, something which has been a missing link in most campaigns and interventions.
Through research, it has been established that the issue of multiple concurrent sexual partners is common in all the regional countries although it goes by different names in different countries.
Addressing this challenge through such a regional initiative will thus ensure that our countries work towards a common vision, which is in line with SADC’s goal of regional integration.
As you are aware, HIV and AIDS does not respect our physical borders and barriers, which is why Zimbabwe and the region must work together in addressing our common challenges.
Guided by research
Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me once again to emphasise the necessity to be guided by evidence from research as we respond to HIV and AIDS.
In this regard, I wish to place a challenge at the door step of researchers and the National AIDS Council to invest in research as a means to finding solutions to HIV and AIDS challenges.
In Zimbabwe, like in all other regional countries, this campaign will run under the name OneLove and the tag line is “Protect-Respect-Connect”.
The tag line Respect, Protect and Connect gives a guideline to the audience about some of the components that contribute to creating and sustaining happy and healthy relationships.
What is interesting about this campaign is that it will run not only in English but also in vernacular languages of Shona and Ndebele.
This will ensure that we reach all the people in languages that they are comfortable with. I hope that eventually this campaign will be packaged in most of our other vernacular languages so that we cover the whole country with the same message.
It’s time to change
My ministry is fully aware that there are a lot of beliefs and social expectations that fuel the practice of multiple concurrent sexual partnerships, some of which are so deeply entrenched in our culture as those related to ideas and notions of manhood and womanhood.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me assure you that despite what society has previously promoted, it is possible to have one loving and happy relationship that is fulfilling and satisfying both emotionally and sexually.
I wish at this time to applaud Action for their partnership with the National AIDS Council and other implementing partners in running this campaign in Zimbabwe.
