01/12/2024
IMOLOGA COMMUNITY PROJECTS HOSTS GEARUP4AGYW PROGRAMME TO ADDRESS HIV INEQUALITIES
IPELEGENG – Imologa Community Projects hosted the Gender Equality, Advocacy, and Resilience – Adolescent Girls and Young Women (GearUp4AGYW) programme at the Ipelegeng Community Library in Ipelegeng, near Schweizer-Reneke, on Tuesday, 26 November 2024.The project aims to ensure equitable access to affordable, comprehensive, high-quality, and non-judgemental HIV services for vulnerable adolescent girls and young women across three provinces in South Africa by 2025.
It is important to note that, structural barriers impede adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) from accessing health services in South Africa. Socio-cultural norms that support risky behaviours, inequalities, low self-esteem, patriarchy, lack of empowerment, stigma and discrimination, sexual abuse, and gender-based violence continue to drive HIV infections across provinces.This transformative programme is implemented by Imologa in collaboration with SAfAIDS, funded by ViiV Healthcare Positive Action. It operates across three provinces in South Africa, including North West, where Imologa oversees community-based interventions aimed at addressing inequalities and power imbalances in HIV prevention, testing, and treatment for AGYW.
The event featured lively and informative performances by the Ipelegeng Community Arts Centre, who used role play to creatively illustrate the significance of HIV and AIDS awareness. Through engaging scenarios, the group highlighted the importance of HIV testing, prevention, treatment education, community support, and quality service delivery. Local musicians also contributed to the event, entertaining the audience and creating a welcoming atmosphere.
While the event was taking place at the library, Tebogo Oliphant, CEO of Imologa, was taking visitors on a tour of Ipelegeng township. The first stop was the Imologa office, where an initial briefing occurred. Mr. Oliphant provided an overview of the organisation and its programmes, highlighting achievements, activities, progress, and challenges. The group then visited the District Health Department for a meet and greet, linking the programme to health services and existing partnerships. The final stop was Mamusa Community Health Centre, where visitors observed the services provided to AGYW when referred for sexual reproductive health and HIV services.
Ms. Millicent Mabena, the Programmes Manager of Imologa, facilitated discussions and Q&A sessions, encouraging active engagement from participants. Mabena stressed the importance of open dialogue in tackling social issues, saying, “Creating safe spaces for young people to express themselves is essential for fostering understanding and driving change within our communities.” She further emphasised the value of knowledge-sharing, adding, “By equipping these young individuals with accurate information, we are empowering them to become voices of change among their peers.”
From ViiV Healthcare, Morag McLaren, Director of Operations, Assurance, and Governance, expressed her appreciation for the programme’s approach. “For me, it is the energy of the people that work for the organisations, the people that participate in doing all the hard work, so important. It has been amazing. And what a way to end, the play was fantastic!”The event was attended by a range of stakeholders and delegates who play vital roles in supporting the programme’s objectives. Among the key stakeholders was Ipelegeng’s Community Policing Forum, which continues to be an important partner in addressing GBV and other social issues.
Dumisile Moyana of SAfAIDS commended the collaborative efforts, highlighting the programme’s role in reducing stigma and promoting preventative measures against HIV and GBV. “As SAfAIDS, we love you so much. The intention behind this is for us to make sure that you start this programme. We want to make sure that you fight for your rights and access to healthcare services.”
