The Rwanda NGOs Forum on HIV/AIDS & Health Promotion has launched a dual awareness campaign running through December 1, 2024, focusing on two critical issues affecting the health and safety of Rwandans: domestic violence and HIV/AIDS. The campaigns highlight the urgent need for collective action to address these pressing societal challenges.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign draws attention to the silent epidemic of domestic violence, which disproportionately impacts women and girls. According to the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey, nearly 39% of women aged 15-49 have experienced intimate partner violence . This campaign urges individuals, communities, and government bodies to take a stand against gender-based violence, calling for stronger laws, increased support for survivors, and efforts to change harmful cultural norms that perpetuate violence.
Simultaneously, the End #AIDS, My Responsibility: Kurandura #SIDA ni Inshingano Yanjye campaign tackles the rising threat of HIV/AIDS in the region, in preparation for World AIDS Day 2024. This initiative emphasizes the importance of taking personal responsibility in the fight against HIV, encouraging individuals to use prevention tools, promote accurate information, and engage in open discussions about HIV and sexual health.
As of recent reports, 90% of people living with HIV in Rwanda are on treatment the country still faces significant challenges in prevention and education. The campaign aims to further reduce the spread of HIV and improve access to prevention and treatment services. Notably, about 3.2% of the adult population in Rwanda is living with HIV .
“We areesent this dual campaign that encourages personal responsibility in combating both domestic violence and HIV/AIDS,” said a spokesperson for the Rwanda NGOs Forum. “These issues are not just individual challenges—they are societal crises that require everyone’s involvement. Whether it’s standing against violence in the home or taking steps to prevent the spread of HIV, every person’s contribution matters.”
The domestic violence component of the campaign calls on communities to challenge harmful norms and create safe environments where women and girls can live free from fear and stigma. At the same time, the HIV/AIDS campaign urges individuals to take personal responsibility, promoting testing, knowledge-sharing, and ensuring access to HIV services for all.
With the latest data showing that nearly 39% of women in Rwanda have experienced intimate partner violence and 90% of people living with HIV receiving treatment, these campaigns are both timely and crucial. By addressing these challenges together, the Rwanda NGOs Forum seeks to empower communities and drive meaningful change for a safer, healthier future.
The Rwanda NGOs Forum invites all Rwandans to join the movement, pledge to act, and take responsibility for making their communities healthier and free from violence and disease.
