I would like to add some principles to the fight against HIV in our country and the continent at large. Many people who claim or supposed to be spearheading the struggle seem not to have some principles to guide them. May the ones stated bellow will be of some help.

All HIV prevention efforts/ programmes must have as their fundamental basis the promotion, protection and respect of human rights regardless of ones gender.

HIV prevention programmes must be differentiated and locally adapted to the relevant epidemiological, economic, social and cultural contexts in which they are implemented.

HIV preventive actions must be evidence –informed, based on what is known and proven to be effective and investment to expand the evidence base should be strengthened.

HIV prevention programmes must be comprehensive in scope, using the full range of policy and programmatic interventions known to be effective.

HIV prevention is for life, therefore, both delivery of existing interventions as well as research and development of new technologies require a long term and sustained efforts.

HIV prevention programmes must be of a coverage, scale and intensity that is enough to make a critical difference.

Community participation of those for whom HIV prevention programmes are planned is critical for their impact.

Great thanks go to the government, NGO’s like UNAIDS and to the entire community for the efforts they have rendered in the fight against the scourge.

Kigali