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Homophobia and violence will not prevent HIV: SAfAIDS statement on violence on sexual minorities in Zimbabwe
Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS)
August 20, 2012

SAFAIDS would like to express its solidarity with GALZ whose members have been subjected to recent arrests. As an HIV organisation involved in the prevention of HIV, we would like to raise awareness on the implications of violence on sexual minorities on the fight against HIV.

Research has shown that sexual minorities contribute to HIV prevalence (9-25%). The violence on sexual minorities only pushes them to go into hiding where it is hard to reach them with the relevant protective messages and services. Some have gone to the extent of getting married to women while having partners secretly. This puts these families at even higher risk. As SAfAIDS we believe pushing sexual minority groups into hiding because they are afraid of being arrested is not a public good.

The Zimbabwe National Strategic Planning Document clearly acknowledges MSM as an important population that needs targeting for HIV prevention. This can only be achieved when people are open about who they really are. How do they do this if they risk being arrested? The current achievements that we have in our HIV response are a result of sound and progressive policies and practice. We need not reverse this now- ending HIV is within our grasp now, achieving Zero HIV, Zero Stigma, Zero discrimination can only be realized when we reach everyone who is sexually active .

As SAfAIDS we are appealing for tolerance and respect of people of different sexual orientation from what we consider as norm. These people are our children, sisters, brothers and children, let's accord them the space to live without fear.

As Zimbabwe joins the world towards the goal of zero new HIV infections, SAfAIDS believes we must break down all barriers of stigma and discrimination and ensure that people of all sexual orientation have access to quality legal, and health services that meet their needs. As an organisation, we support efforts to ensure that the country continues in its success path and this can only be realized through respecting the rights of all populations. With tolerance and acceptance to diverse groups, together we Can Prevent HIV.

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