Kinyamaseke Girls Youth in Development (KYID), based in the Kasese district of Uganda, has been working to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in their area by changing the narrative and perceptions around the disease. The organization was started in 2008 with the goal of breaking the domestic violence cycle created by social structures undermining the rights of girls. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among school aged girls has increased drastically. KYID identified a real need in the community for people to gather and discuss the issue and learn more about stigma and prevention and they have shared the results of the project with us. What they uncovered in the process was shocking and will greatly inform their work moving forward.
In the Kasese District, 11.5% of the population is affected by HIV/AIDS, which is much higher than the national average of 7.5%. Most of the girls in the District have little or no education and are therefore unemployed. In order to meet their basic needs, they enter into marriages at a young age, with men who are not capable of supporting them. Some of these girls become victims of sex trafficking after being brought to large towns under the guise of traditional employment. Not only are they victims of abuse and sexual assault, but they are exposed to a number of STD’s including HIV/AIDS. Most are under 18 years old. COVID-19 has led to an increase of young people being exposed to HIV/AIDS, and a decrease in those getting tested.
KYID knew that they urgently needed to open up discussions and bring the community together to better understand the causes of the increase in HIV/AIDS and to uncover the best way to help solve the problem. Throughout the course of the project, they conducted two exploratory meetings, five awareness sessions, three advocacy meetings, held two training workshops and produced five concerts to raise awareness. By connecting with the people in their community, they were able to uncover a lot about the issues at hand, much of which will inform their continued work. For the workshops, they focused on meeting with youth affected by HIV/AIDS to help them better understand their illness and put together a will.
Some of what they uncovered in these meetings involved the shift in parental responsibilities that has put much greater pressure on the parents. They learned that many of the girls affected by HIV/AIDS did not have their basic needs met by their parents, and come from households where domestic violence was prevalent. Additionally, many of the girls, having grown up in an abstinence first culture, have little knowledge about safe sex.
Some conclusions from these community meetings were that educating and training needs to start with parents and adults in the community. KYID plans to hold awareness training for parents, school teachers, union leaders and youth counselors to help them identify risk factors in young women and how to help young women affected by HIV/AIDS. They also made the decision that one of the most effective ways to get the information out would be through plays and concerts. They had young girls create skits and songs to advocate for their rights. The importance of young men having education on these topics is also crucial. KYID will be distributing condoms and teaching boys how to use them in order to practice safe sex.
Something unexpected to the group was the consistent participation of those with dwarfism. The challenges they face are immense, and KYID is determined to help improve their quality of life. The little people in attendance spoke up about the terrible abuse and sexual harrassment they face. There is an old cultural belief that engaging in sex with a little person will cure ailments like HIV, which has led them to be raped and often infected with HIV/AIDS.
“They were brave to be open and disclose that most of them are HIV positive because of people flocking in for them. The whole meeting was sorrowful and other people shed tears. We were concerned as human rights advocates for our fellow women being used as objects of laughter.”
KYID held a separate meeting for men and women with dwarfism to come together and discuss the extreme discrimination they face and how vulnerable they are to abuse. They have asked KYID to step in and assist them in advocating for their rights and bringing awareness to the community, which they plan to do, as they recognize this serious human rights violation.
“In Bukonzo County of Kasese District, we identified about 30 dwarfs to benefit from the training. We feel touched and concerned about our fellow girls and women to be left behind in matters concerning social development when they are suffering. In our training we will also have counseling sessions to find out those who are infected by HIV/AIDS.”
This exploratory project brought to light some shocking, yet extremely important discoveries. KYID now has a clear idea of what they can do to help improve their community, starting with helping the most vulnerable groups. Overall, the project was successful in teaching people about HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and how to break the stigma and has led to a larger discussion which will continue in various forms. KYID has a great deal of work ahead of them as they continue to fight injustices and advocate for those who need it most.