Religious leaders from different denominations on Wednesday expressed concern over high maternal mortality rate in the country pledging to use their influence to ensure that society is informed and educated on the HIV/Aids pandemic.
Addressing delegates attending a three day World Vision workshop in Harare, church leaders called on development partners to equip them with education and knowledge about HIV/Aids which can impart to their members for the benefit of the country at large will benefit.
“We are really appreciating these workshops being done by World Division because people need to be taught about the spreading of HIV/AIDS. So if church leaders are taught, and then they will educate congregants I hope this will help the country at large,” Madzibaba Biggie Mutawo of Johane Masowe Apostolic Church.
Mutawo urged other apostolic churches to seek education and medical attention whenever there is need so that the spread of HIV can be avoided.
Shepherd Kazarire, leader of Full Life Evangelical Mission said, “church leaders should avoid stigmatization so as to accommodate those affected and infected,” he said, adding that blaming the affected is not the way to solve the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) leader, Blessed Mhandu said people need to be educated to reduce the spread of HIV/Aids. “HIV has not been well known in Churches, therefore we are saying that people, especially church leaders need to be educated so they can teach their followers.
“In doing this we will be helping the victims of HIV and reducing its proliferation,” he said.
Meanwhile, World Vision Zimbabwe, National Gender and Development Coordinator, Madrine Chiko said church leaders are most influential people who can be listened to by their followers adding that teaching leaders about these issues will help in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS.
