United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids (UNaids) Country Representative Nuha Ceesay has said investing in women can help the country stem cases of HIV infection.
The official said this in Lilongwe during the launch of the 2023–2027 strategic plan for the Coalition of Women Living with HIV and Aids (COWLHA).
“We should focus on meeting the goal of eliminating HIV infections at all cost so that we can end Aids in women and girls through the provision of accessible and quality HIV and Aids services. We need to bring down new HIV infections at all cost in line with the UNaids target of ending Aids by 2030,” Ceesay said.
The country representative added that there is a need to deliberately target women in the fight against HIV as they are among vulnerable populations.
On her part, COWLHA Board Chairperson Wezi Mjojo said successful implementation of activities lined up in the strategic plan rests on a strong performance management framework.
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“The plan is to empower women and girls to influence the elimination of inequitable power, cultural norms, attitudes and behaviours that disempower them and expose them to gender-based violence and HIV,” Mjojo said.
Ministry of Health Director of HIV and Aids Rose Nyirenda said the government is geared to improve management and help build the capacity of women organisations that are helping to curb HIV.
“Ending Aids as a public health concern in Malawi by 2030 requires predictable partnerships and sustainable funding, including the increased use of domestic resources,” Nyirenda said.
She, therefore, said the five-year implementation plan is a step towards the elimination of HIV from the country.
