Call to integrate HIV/AIDS programmes

THE Association of Youth for Human Rights and Development (AJPRODHO-JIJUKIRWA) has called on Non Governmental Organizations, especially those that deal in human rights promotion, to integrate effective HIV/AIDS programmes in their activities.The Coordinator of Human Rights and Access to Justice Programme in the association, Alice Mutoni Muhoza, made the call on Friday.“Our recent survey on the current status of discrimination, stigma and human rights violation against people living with HIV (PLWH) showed that human rights organizations do not have effective programmes aimed at fighting HIV,” said Muhoza.She was addressing the media shortly after a three-day training aimed at encouraging and empowering the organizations through skills development to play a role in fighting HIV. Recently, it released a report that indicated that stigma was an underlying factor hindering youth living with HIV in the three urban districts of Nyarugenge, Kicukiro and Gasabo from disclosing their sero status.“As Human Rights organizations, we should also have our priorities based on the challenges and problems faced by the communities. And it is these challenges that we should base on as we seek funding,” said Muhoza.Speaking to The Sunday Times, some the participants said that there was need for drawing proper planning if HIV/AIDS programmes can easily be integrated.Some said that most NGO’s operate depending on the interest of donors and that it makes it difficult to bring in programmes which are not in line with the organization’s work plan.