The 2015 Consultation on Strengthening Partnerships Between Faith-Based Organizations and PEPFAR to Build Capacity for Sustained Responses to HIV/AIDS

Goal: To identify, describe, and strengthen the distinctive contributions of faith-based organizations in support of sustained, effective, country-led responses to HIV/AIDS in collaboration with PEPFAR.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with profound honor to present before this distinguished congregation on this very important topic. Indeed, it is prudent to have the Youth involved in this consultation on strengthening partnerships between Faith-Based Organizations and PEPFAR to Build capacity for sustained responses to HIV. The fight against HIV is a responsibility of everyone….the young and old. It is through a combined effort that a stronger capacity for sustained response to HIV/AIDs can be built.

During the early years of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, many people who worked in HIV/AIDS prevention thought of religious leaders and organizations as naturally antagonistic to what they were trying to accomplish. In many minds, the stereotype of a religious leader was that of a conservative moralist who disapproved of any form of sexual behavior outside of marriage (especially male-male sex), as well as what was seen as the "only solution" to HIV infection,i.e.,condoms.

Today we have convincing examples of so-called faith-based initiatives in which involvement of religious leaders and organizations in HIV/AIDS prevention has had major impact. The role of religious organizations in care and support of those with HIV is well-recognized and there is no doubt on the contribution that FBOs have made in response to HIV menace in our country.
However, it is prudent that the Youth is involved in this fight. It is a time that we should embrace the positive energy that young people can bring on board through social networks in educating other young people on such issues like abstinence as a response to HIV/AIDs. Involving the Youth in the fight against HIV/AIDs is one of the most sustainable responses to curbing the menace. I believe that ‘We, the youth of our country, can make a difference. We can stop the spread of HIV infection.’

Faith Based Organisations should push for the inclusion of HIV/AIDs education in primary, secondary schools and univeristy curriculum. The cost of including HIV education in the school curriculum is marginal. The benefits to society are immense. The Life Skills educational approach has been proven to be valuable and effective for the development of youth in many countries, and this is applicable to HIV/AIDS education. It can work even better in Kenya.
A change to a more liberal lifestyle is causing a large number of young adults to become susceptible to HIV infection. This is the reason why as young people of this great nation, we cannot be left out in this war. There are a number of registered Youth organizations in Kenya that are dedicated to fight the war against HIV which Faith Based Organizations can partner with. The presence of such youth organizations is a show of commitment of our young people in this fight. It demonstrates the determination of a great number of youth today to prevent HIV/AIDS.

In conclusion, we believe as young people that; FBOs are best positioned of any group to promote fidelity and abstinence; this is their “comparative advantage.’’ Religious organizations ought to be given more support in doing what they do best, namely promoting fidelity and abstinence. If FBOs also want to promote condom use as a preventive measure- so much the better.
It is reasonably well-established that consistent condom use protects against HIV transmission, therefore condom use should be promoted. Yet FBOs should not be forced to emphasize or even necessarily include condom promotion in their HIV/AIDS programs. There are enough other organizations in international AIDS prevention already doing this, and there are insufficient programs directed at partner reduction and delay of sexual debut among youth.
Until recently, little international funding has gone to FBOs. There have been few evaluations of FBO AIDS prevention programs; existing evaluations results have not been much discussed or well disseminated; and religious organizations tend to be involved in care and support programs more than in HIV/AIDS prevention. Thus FBOs remain a great untapped potential in the global fight against AIDS. As we share in The 2015 Consultation on Strengthening Partnerships Between Faith-Based Organizations and PEPFAR to Build Capacity for Sustained Responses to HIV/AIDS, considerations and focus should be given to FBOs without ignoring the role of Youth Organizations in this move.

Thank you

YOUTH UNITED FOR SOCIAL MOBILIZATION [YUSOM]

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