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Young People Making a Difference in Northern Uganda

22 March 2006

The Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) is working with young people in the internally displaced persons' camps in Northern Uganda to try to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS in the area.

Role playing at the workshop about the stigma attatched by some to HIV/AIDS

 

A Peer Group Educator's Workshop organized by the CYP took place in Koro, Gulu District, in northern Uganda, from 6-7 March 2006. Some 31 young people aged 12 to 25 participated in the training, which was aimed at reducing the spread of HIV and AIDS through behaviour change among young men and women.

Participants included 16 males and 15 females from two camps in Koro Sub County, Tetugu and Koro Abili. The workshop sought to assist the participants in establishing a common understanding of the basic facts about HIV/AIDS, including its transmission and prevention, and of the role of young people as agents in the reduction of HIV/AIDS prevalence in their communities.

Although HIV prevalence in Uganda is much lower than it once was, it still remains high, with AIDS still claiming tens of thousands of lives each year. As most of these are young adults, the pandemic depletes the country's labour force, and weakens educational and health services. Deaths among young adults also leave behind thousands of orphaned children and grandparents, placing an additional burden on the community.

Workshop participants shared perceptions and clarified the meaning of HIV/AIDS, pointing out the medical facts versus traditionally held beliefs and myths associated with the disease. They discussed the signs and symptoms of AIDS, modes and prevention of transmission, and the psychological and economic impact of HIV-positive diagnosis to the individual, the family and community.

The young people also shared views on other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including their signs and symptoms, and mode of infection, relationships between STIs and HIV, and the predisposing factors and risky behaviour that can contribute to HIV infection. Workshop facilitators also addressed concerns raised concerning the stigma of HIV and the role of youth in the management of HIV.

Valencia Mogegeh, Regional Director of the CYP's Africa Centre, who facilitated the workshop along with Programme Manager Marian Kpakpah, said, "It is hoped that following the training, which identified and addressed general misconceptions and provided factual information, the peer educators will increase awareness on HIV/AIDS among youth in their communities, through youth led sensitisations and community meetings."

Gulu is a district in Northern Uganda that has been affected not only by the ravages of HIV and AIDS but also armed conflict and abductions perpetrated by the rebel Lord's Resistance Army over the past 18 years. Nearly 1.4 million people have been forced to flee their homes, around 80 per cent of them children and women. More than one-half-million people in Uganda's Gulu and Kitgum districts have been displaced by the fighting and are living in temporary camps.

The CYP has identified areas for further strengthening towards the overall objective of developing a full fledged HIV/AIDS intervention programme in Gulu district.