Church responses to the HIV epidemic thus far have emphasized awareness raising, counseling, care and support, and–to a lesser degree–treatment.
Prevention, on the other hand, has not received nearly enough attention. Many churches have been reluctant to address issues related to sexuality, or are uncertain how best to hold such discussions.
A Church Issue
However, churches cannot afford to evade the sensitive questions that HIV prevention efforts raise. Infection rates in the church do not differ significantly from the general population.
All church members are living with or affected by HIV in some way. All church members need to know how to avoid infection or infecting others.
Expanding Prevention Efforts
Full-fledged church-run HIV prevention ministries must include discussion about sexual ethics and condom promotion.
But the church’s response must be farther-reaching. There are as many elements of HIV prevention as there are modes of transmission and factors enhancing the spread of HIV, for example:
- Reducing sexual transmission of HIV
- Preventing transmission from parent to child
- Preventing transmission through drug use
- Preventing mutual reinforcement of HIV, TB and malaria
- Reducing stigma and discrimination
- Ensuring equal access to antiretroviral medication and therapy
- Advocating repeal of punitive laws, policies and practices
- Combating all forms of violence against women and girls, and children in general
- Empowering women and youth to take protective measures
- Enhancing protection for people infected with or affected by HIV
- Breaking the vicious circle of food insecurity and HIV
- Discouraging harmful cultural practices, whether traditional or modern
- Facilitating effective HIV response by church leadership
- Promoting the concept of “liberating masculinity”
The LWF AIDS Campaign urges churches to approach prevention from many different angles to increase the effectiveness of their ministries. See the AIDS Desk Prevention Brochure under Related Documents in the right-hand column.
Appeal to Church Leaders
Successful prevention efforts require committed church leadership. The LWF AIDS Campaign calls on church leaders to sign the religious leaders’ Personal Commitment to Action and engage members of their communities in preventing the spread of HIV. (See Related Documents)
