By Brenna Matendere
Findings from the 2024 Adolescent Pregnancy Research in Matabeleland South have informed targeted interventions by the National Aids Council (NAC) aimed at reducing new HIV infections, particularly among adolescent girls and young women.
Matabeleland South NAC manager, Mr Mgcini Sibanda, said the research revealed that economic hardship is a major driver of HIV vulnerability among young women in the province.
“Preliminary findings from the 2024 Adolescent Pregnancy Research conducted in Matabeleland South identified several interconnected social and economic factors contributing to elevated HIV risk, particularly among adolescent girls and young women,” said Mr Sibanda.
He noted that women’s financial dependence on male partners significantly limits their ability to negotiate safer sexual practices.
“Addressing these drivers requires multisectoral strategies that combine economic empowerment programmes, gender-transformative education, community engagement to address harmful practices, and strengthened support services for young women at risk,” he said.
In response, NAC has implemented economic empowerment initiatives through the Community ART Refill Group (CARG) model and the Sista2Sista programme.
Under the CARG model, people living with HIV have embarked on income-generating projects such as horticulture and Internal Savings and Lending Schemes (ISALs). Meanwhile, the Sista2Sista programme has trained selected community members to mentor 50 adolescent girls and young women each over a one-year period.
CARGs are self-forming groups of clinically stable HIV-positive individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART) living within the same community. Members meet monthly to review treatment adherence, discuss health-related issues and provide mutual support. Each group maintains a refill monitoring tool to track medication collection, identify defaulters and flag members who may require clinical follow-up.
Ms Sibongile Ncube (52), a CARG leader in the Empandeni area, said the groups have gone beyond treatment adherence to embrace economic empowerment.
“We work collectively to support one another as people living with HIV. While adherence to ART remains our main focus, we have also ventured into income-generating projects,” she said.
“We run ISALs and garden projects, which have empowered us, especially as women. Through savings, we have been able to start personal projects such as goat breeding and poultry farming.”
Ms Ncube added that the nutrition gardens have improved access to balanced diets, which are critical for people living with HIV. She said the CARG model empowers patients to take ownership of their health and treatment.
Under the model, trained CARG leaders also serve as HIV ambassadors, ensuring ART adherence, collecting and distributing medication within communities, facilitating peer-support meetings and disseminating HIV and Aids-related information.
Matabeleland South has an HIV prevalence rate of 15 percent and an incidence rate of 0.2 percent. All seven districts record prevalence rates significantly above the national average of 9.8 percent, highlighting the province’s substantial HIV burden.
Bulilima District has the highest prevalence rate at 17.6 percent, the highest in the country. Bulilima, Mangwe and Gwanda districts exceed the provincial average, indicating areas requiring intensified HIV prevention and treatment efforts.
Ms Nonhlanhla Ndlovu, a Sista2Sista mentor from Matjinge Village in Bulilima, said the programme is helping to address economic vulnerability among young girls.
“One of the biggest risks facing young girls is financial insecurity. Through Sista2Sista, we educate them on income-generating projects they can undertake to earn a living,” she said.
“Some of these girls have children to support, and without income, they are vulnerable to sexual exploitation. We also guide them on responsible decision-making and HIV-related issues.”
Through the programme, mentors provide a safe space where adolescent girls and young women can openly discuss their challenges.
Participants receive education on sexual and reproductive health and rights, financial literacy, and strategies for navigating difficult social situations, including coercive relationships.
About Author
