23 Sep 2018

Men have been encouraged to make a positive impact in the community. 

 Speaking during a capacity building workshop for the South East District men sector committee members, District Commissioner Mr Ian Tema said man should be good community leaders starting from their families. 

Mr Tema said it was time men showed leadership of their households, saying it should start with them knowing their HIV/AIDS status, adding that men should not test themselves through their partners as it was possible for partners to have different statuses. 

He also encouraged men to support their partners during pregnancy by being there every step, including HIV/AIDS testing. 

Mr Tema urged men to play a role in raising awareness, educating and motiving other men on the importance of knowing one’s status in order to stay HIV free. 

He said they must be able to address other issues such as Safe Male Circumcision (SMC) and Gender Based Violence (GBV) so as to be responsible members of society. 

He also expressed gratitude towards women who were part of the men sector committee and said their contribution was valuable.  

Mr Tema urged members of the committee to support, care and work in order to defeat any obstacles in their lives and the lives of the community at large. 

For his part the national men sector secretariat, Mr Budabi Madandume said their vision was to be leaders in the socio-cultural transformation for an HIV-free generation.

He said they coordinate HIV/AIDS activities for the male sector with the objective to address all the drivers of the epidemic including Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Mr Madandume further said the sector was to innovate strategies to ensure male involvement in the HIV/AIDS response and also to advocate for a conducive environment for male involvement.

Men sector committee members said the sector’s role was to afford men an opportunity to speak for themselves. ENDS