Africa Leaders: Education & Church Vital in HIV/AIDS Fight

Education and unity is seen by many leaders, both religious and political as the way to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic in countries all over the African continent.

Religious leaders in Nigeria have come together, both Muslim and Christian, to call for adoption of a multi-sectoral approach to solving HIV/AIDS.

During the 2nd inter-faith forum organised by the National Action Committee on AIDS (NACA), participants agreed that proper education and enlightment on the pandemic is necessary.

In the released communiqué it was emphasised that family life and its education had to be part of the nation’s basic educational system.

The forum with the topic, "Faith Community as Change Agents in the Fight Against AIDS," aimed to unite and strengthen the NACA, State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA) and the Local Government Committee on AIDS (LACA) in the fight against the pandemic.

The reality in Africa reveals that the spread of the virus among young people and children is enormous. The forum indicated that the way to set up order in the midst of this crisis is embedded in proper education and literacy, since there exists a strong link between poverty, hunger and HIV/AIDS.

The role of the Church in the HIV/AIDS drama is immense. Church officials, Church leaders, bishops and deans are being told to take the role and responsibility to lead people to the right path.

A recently held workshop in Namibia organised by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (EL-CIN) was the part of the Church's Youth HIV and AIDS Prevention Project.

During the workshop Church officials were encouraged to provide guidance and support for HIV and AIDS youth activities and training in their respective circuits.

The project introduces the ABC's of prevention, which can come about through "abstinence, being faithful and changing your behaviour."

Rev Mpanji Silungwe of United Church of Zambia (UCZ) emphasised the importance of an active approach of the Church in the fight against all problems in the modern era.

Since people infected by HIV/AIDS are discriminated and stigmatised greatly in the continent, Rev Silungwe described the Church as "the voice of the marginalised" that have to take a "leading role in fighting all social ills."

"There is also need to increase efforts in addressing the HIV and AIDS pandemic to ensure that people protect themselves. HIV is deadly and it has to be fought," Rev Silungwe said.

He views the co-working and unity among the Christians as the key for successful progress. He called for unity on the basis of love, regardless of the denomination.

"Unity is very important for the Church because it is divine. It is difficult to find a mark of truth in a disunited Church and this is why we have to strive for unity."