PREVENTION OF MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV and GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE In Rwanda. Zonta International

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1 PREVENTION OF MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV and GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE In Rwanda Zonta International

2 In 1994, Rwanda s population of 7 million was composed of three ethnic groups, Hutu (85%), Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%). In the early 1990s, Hutu extremists within Rwanda s political elite blamed the entire Tutsi minority population for the country s increasing social, economic and political problems.

3 In 1994, the Rwandan genocide exploded after the plane which carried President Habyarimana, a Hutu, was shot down. Under the cover of war, Hutu extremists launched the Rwandan genocide targeting the extinction of the Tutsi people. The Hutu government intended to unite the Hutu people after brutalizing close to a million people.

4 The civil war and genocidal government ended when the Tutsi rebel group, the RFP, defeated the Hutu regime and President Paul Kagame took control

5 16 Years After the Genocide Rwanda still had Critical Issues Impeding it s Development

6 Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS

7 Gender-Based Violence

8 After the genocide and war, Rwanda was largely a country of vulnerable women and children. Rwanda has one of the world s highest concentration of orphans due to the genocide and deaths of HIV-positive women.

9 Critical Issues Treating HIV positive women Preventing transmission of the virus to their offspring Giving women healthcare and reproductive health services in a war torn country with a broken healthcare system Preventing and responding to the violence stemming from the brutalization of the society Zonta International

10 The consequence of domestic and gender-based violence can span generations. The effects of violent behavior stay with children long after childhood. Insufficient medical, psychosocial and legal care creates lifelong physical and mental trauma for survivors.

11 In response to these urgent needs of the mothers and children of Rwanda ZONTA INTERNATIONAL in cooperation with the UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN S FUND will provide $500,000 to PREVENT MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV and GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

12 Responding to the needs of HIV positive women Prevention of transmitting the virus to their offspring during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding Providing access to health care and reproductive health services to women Zonta International Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS

13 Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS Support Rwanda has achieved progress in preventing the mother-to-child transmission of the virus, but the rate of infection is still high. Recently improved anti-retroviral programs and early infant diagnosis should lower the infection rate. Following those improved virus and detection initiatives, the UNICEF/Zonta program will fund the first national-level evaluation of the effectiveness of the mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS at six weeks after a mother gives birth.

14 Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS Support Rwanda is working towards universal access to HIV testing and care for pregnant women and children by The UNICEF/Zonta program will develop a model of Rwanda s successful program to use at the district level including: Anti-retroviral access Rehabilitation access Adequate facilities Necessary equipment A system to assess trends in new infections Community support Adequate transportation for laboratory samples Laboratory training Technical and financial support the existing prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS sites in the districts of Rwanda

15 Gender-Based Violence Preventing and responding to the violence as a result of the brutalization of society during the genocide Enforcing and strengthening control over the transmission of HIV linked to domestic and gender-based violence

16 Gender-Based Violence Support Increase access for cases of gender-based violence victims seeking services through increased knowledge and better quality of services to survivors of violence. Improve resilience among survivors and families and decrease the incidence of acute traumatic stress disorders in survivors.

17 The project will establish nationwide support centers for holistic care and support to survivors of domestic and gender-based violence in all five provinces in Rwanda. These centers will offer referral, training for those who will support survivors, and improve the quality of service to survivors. The program will also support the newly established pilot center at Kacyiru Hospital in Kigali and the center in Rusizi District. Zonta International One Stop Centers

18 The project will use three approaches: The Holistic Approach The Multidisciplinary Approach The Family and Community Based Approach

19 Holistic Care Holistic care will be provided to address the, physical, psychosocial and legal needs of victims/survivors.

20 Multidisciplinary Approach The multidisciplinary approach recognizes that a woman and a child, particularly those in special need of protection, need access to an array of services due to complex nature of their needs. Agencies and professionals must work together to manage different aspects of helping a woman and a child within the context of their family, community and society.

21 Family and Community Based Approach The family and community based approach recognizes that families and communities are the first line of response in dealing with problems. This type of intervention should strengthen the capabilities of families and communities.

22 The Women of Rwanda thank you for your donations to this critical program