In Uganda, women continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV, and nearly twice as likely to be living with HIV their male counterparts. Access to testing services and enrolment in care is critical but remains challenging for many young women. Scovia, a 20-year-old mother of one from Mubende district tells us how the support of a peer educator helped her to get tested and to manage her diagnosis.
"It has never occurred to me in the last 19 years of my life to know my HIV status, let alone the relevance of knowing it. Sanyu and I had a conversation when I first met her, and she persuaded me to go to the facility and get tested. This was not because she had any suspicions, but rather because she wanted me to grow up to be a responsible young woman. I laughed it off and pondered why HIV was the only disease that was particular. Sanyu followed up until the day I got the HIV test. I had a feeling she was never going to ignore me on this. I was so worried about the findings when I was tested that I left the facility without them. Sanyu followed up as usual [and] convinced me to return and receive my results. The test results were positive, just as I had feared. Through this difficult period, Sanyu supported me in every way. She also revealed her current situation to me to help me keep my head up. She told me about how she manages her life with daily medicine and how she feels free to share this information with those who need it."
Sanyu and Scovia have formed a bond and become friends and have since they met. Scovia looks up to Sanyu, who inspired her to cherish her life and live up to her capabilities.
"HIV is still a problem in our community, and we need these services." Scovia reminds us.
Youth Alive Uganda supports Sanyu and many other peer educators to help young people like Scovia through the SRHR Umbrella programme. More than 400 peer educators are at the centre of the programme, thanks to funding from Sweden.
