To ensure that voices of those most affected by the pandemic also feature in the debate about HIV/AIDS, Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) has been working closely with two community radio stations in Mozambique to enhance their capacity to produce and air communication programmes on HIV prevention.

The organisation has been working with Radio Xai Xai and Radio Homoine radio stations to ensure that community voices feature prominently in the debate about HIV/AIDS, and to set the stage for informed public participation in the response. In August, producers from the two radio stations participated in a PSAf training on HIV prevention focusing on prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT), multiple concurrent partnerships as well HIV Prevention for Sexual minority groups.

After the training, Xai Xai and Homoine radio stations developed programming plans to facilitate community based communication on HIV prevention. The plans have since been shared with PSAf. Through their programming, the stations highlight local voices, getting people to dialogue and challenge their own beliefs, practices and prejudices, which have been a setback to    improved programming and response to HIV prevention services in Mozambique.

The two radio stations have been very consistent in their coverage of development issues affecting the communities where they are based, which are also common across Mozambique. Through the two stations, ordinary members of the community, including sexual minorities have been able to share their views and experiences on a vast array of issues. 

Appreciating the role that PSAf is playing in communicating HIV prevention in Mozambique, the National AIDS Council of Mozambique has given official recognition to PSAf as an important partner in their communication strategic framework. This is yet another vote of confidence in PSAf’s work in Mozambique, following the good response the organisation has received from development partners since opening an office in that country. The official recognition will now enable PSAf to collaborate closely with the Mozambican authorities in the development and implementation of HIV/AIDS response activities.