African Evangelistic Enterprise (AEE) Rwanda marked World AIDS Day on December 1 with a focused HIV prevention campaign in Ndera Sector, Gasabo District. This campaign, spearheaded through the Igire Ubaka Ejo Activity funded by the U.S.

President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through USAID, targeting Orphans and Vulnerable Children and Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW).

The campaign strategically focused on Ndera Sector, identified as a high-risk area for HIV transmission due to socio-economic factors. The community largely comprises industrial workers, motorcycle taxi operators, bicycle riders, and construction laborers, many of whom are at a high risk of HIV.

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The event underscored perseverance in safeguarding health despite challenges and began with a community march aimed at raising awareness among youth and adolescents.

A football match between motorcycle taxi operators and bicycle riders served as a key highlight of the day. The players donned jerseys displaying HIV prevention messages, blending entertainment with education to drive the campaign’s message home.

Participants also accessed free HIV testing, condoms, and educational resources on prevention and responses to HIV. Messages on HIV prevention were also shared to larger communities that attended the football match, and a booth was set up to demonstrate how to use condoms effectively.

The innovative blend of awareness, entertainment, and healthcare services ensured the community was both engaged and informed.

Under USAID’s five-year Igire Ubaka Ejo project, AEE Rwanda aims to reduce vulnerability and HIV incidence among Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and AGYW, aligning with Rwanda’s broader HIV epidemic control goals.

Deputy Chief of Party Andrew Musemakweri noted that the project has reached 112,833 program participants in Gasabo, Kayonza, and Rusizi Districts over two years, supported by 1,023 volunteers.

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"Achievements include HIV testing for 98,264 Orphans and Vulnerable Children and Adolescent Girls Young Women (AGYW) and mentorship for 63,578 AGYW in 141 safe spaces, facilitated by 301 mentors,” Musemakweri said.

Other milestones include initiating 2,006 AGYW on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), supporting 1,580 children and adolescents living with HIV to adhere to treatment with a 98.8% viral load suppression rate, and distributing over 201,600 condoms Adolescents and youth.

Mentor Nadia Umwizerwa explained that the Activity not only educates adolescents girls and young women about HIV prevention but also help them to access comprehensive sexual education such as reproductive health, prevention of other sexual transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies and gender-based violence. The Activity also provides education support and empowers AGYW economically through training on financial literacy, life skills, TVET training, mentorship and startup kits. "This helps them avoid risky behaviors and build secure futures,” she added.

The campaign also highlighted the danger of casual attitudes toward sex fueled by alcoholism and drug abuse as well as popular youth slogans like "Nta inda iterwa kumanywa” (you can&039;t conceive during daylight). These narratives were flagged as contributors to risky behavior and the spread of HIV.

On a national scale, the Ministry of Health launched a six-month campaign to coincide with World AIDS Day, focusing on raising awareness, improving service access, combating stigma, and fostering collaboration.

Rwanda has made notable progress in HIV prevention, reducing new infections by 70% and AIDS-related deaths by 60% over the past 15 years. In 2023 alone, antiretroviral treatment averted over 13,000 AIDS-related deaths, demonstrating the effectiveness of the country’s efforts.

As campaigns like AEE Rwanda’s in Gasabo amplify these national efforts, the collective commitment to combat HIV and foster healthier communities continues to gain momentum.