“To ensure sustainability, the RHIVA programme agenda will be integrated in all HIV&AIDS Education initiatives, be part of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), and be mainstreamed through Life Skills education programmes and existing after-school programmes.”
This commitment was expressed at the sharing meeting of the three Member States held on 27-28 October in Lusaka, Zambia.
Participants were welcomed by Assistant Director Mr John Nyangu, representing Permanent Secretary Mr Chishimba Nkosha. Mr Nyangu presented the Permanent Secretary’s address, expressing the Ministry’s commitment to interventions such as RHIVA, which are supportive of education in Zambia.
It was clear from the presentations and country implementation plans, that all participants are fully committed to RHIVA and its further roll out in their countries.
A highlight of the two days was a visit to one of the RHIVA project schools, Matero Girls’ Secondary School. Delegates were entertained by powerful performances, including sketches, acapella singing and speeches. It was an exciting afternoon, not only for the visitors, but also for the girls themselves. Their energy and excitement was evidence of the positive impact of the RHIVA programme on their lives.
After a successful pilot in Vulindlela in KwaZulu-Natal, RHIVA, or Reducing HIV in Adolescents, is being implmented as part of a Regional pilot in Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia. Read more about RHIVA on the Projects page. RHIVA is funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
