In Lusaka, Zambia it is estimated by the Ministry of Health that almost 1 in 5 people are living with HIV. Individuals knowing their status and getting access to treatment (ART) is essential to prevent HIV transmission. 

At the end of last year TTF  undertook 14 intensive days community outreaches in Chibolya, one of the most economically deprived areas of Lusaka. With a team of 10 counselors lead by our Social Worker, Noah Kampengele, we worked in the community going door to door to talk to people in the privacy of their homes about HIV, testing 6,341 individuals, identifying 217 HIV people and registering 116 HIV+ children and adolescents into the TTF Clinic.  

Why do you think that it’s important to recognise National youth day and what will you be doing on the day?
It is important to recognise youth day because youth play an important role in the future of Zambia. They are at the forefront of change in Zambia. I will be home on youth day but think it’s important for people to recognise the day and think about the future.  

You are involved in a lot of TTF support groups and act as a teen mentor – why do you feel it is important for you to be involved in this way – what drives you to want to be involved?
I want to help others who have lost hope, I want them to have hope and acknowledge their status in a positive way. I want to share stories and experiences as I think this can really help young people and children who are HIV+.

I like working with TTF because it’s a great opportunity to meet so many people and make some really good friends. 

What do you see as the different struggles for young women vs that of young men?
Prostitution is an issue for women. It is much easier for men to find casual work and employment than women. Women find themselves having not many options so have to turn to prostitution to make money and provide for their families and make money for food.

Also early marriages are an issue for women. Young women and girls often don’t have a choice whether they get married because of the environment in which they are living in pushes them to early marriage either for stability or because their family want them to.

Oh and peer pressure! Peer pressure is also a major issue for young people in Lusaka, leading to people doing things they don’t always want to.

If you could have any job in the world in the future  – what would it be and why?
I would like to be a doctor – because I want to help people!

Why do you think that it’s important to recognise National youth day and what will you be doing on the day?
It is important that young people are given time to interact with each other. It will give an opportunity for young people to act like young people and play games, and have fun, spend time with their friends.
 
What are some of the main issues that you face as a young man in Zambia?
One of the issues facing young people is school drop outs and lack of employment for those who have finished school. There are very few jobs for individuals in my community which leaves people with a lot of time on their hands.

TTF support youth through our Free clinic and through our support groups – how else would you like to see TTF supporting youth like yourself to have stable and sustainable futures? 
TTF should continue to support youth through Clinic and hopefully one day have a much larger facility to support even more people. 

You live in one of the very urban compounds in Lusaka – what are some of the biggest issues for youth in the compounds around where you live? What needs to be done to address these issues? 
Crime, and drug and alcohol abuse are some of the biggest issues I see on a day to day basis. Communities need to be sensitised on drug and alcohol misuse to address this problem. There are not any police around  where I live – more police need to support our communities. They only sometimes come for big crimes but if you get burgled you don't have any support.  
 

If you could wish for one thing for yourself, to have a stable and sustainable future, what would it be and why? 
Sponsorship to help me in my education, to be trained in medical care either to be a doctor or a clinical officer, then I can help others in my community. 

You helped to found TTF to support women and children with HIV, how important do you think our programmes are in supporting women in Lusaka?
The TT&F programs – especially the PMTCT program, help the women to realize that they can give birth to a healthy baby despite the HIV status of the mother.

 If you could make or see one change in Zambia for the women we support at TTF what would it be?
We would like to see the women of Zambia rise above the stigma of HIV and not be afraid to confront their husbands or partners or communities so that they would seek help, medicine and counseling through the TT&F program.

 Who do you see as one of the most impactful/ powerful women in history and why?
I see Mother Theresa and her Sisters in Zambia as some of the most powerful women in history.  I have seen firsthand the work they do in Zambia for the poorest of the poor with no fanfare, publicity, or modern day comforts. 

Are you going to be doing anything to recognise international women’s day/ why do you think it is important to recognise international women’s day?
International Women’s Day is important because it’s a way of motivating women and empowering us. It’s also a way of everyone recognising the importance and presence of women in the country. If I am not going to be picked to be among the people who are going match on this day I will be working.

What are some of the main issues you think Zambian women face?
The main issues I think of are gender based violence and rape. In work related issues women are often put aside in decision making and some can’t be given high positions because certain roles are reserved for men. For example in politics a women is overlooked to be a president over that of a man.


How well do you feel TTF support women and equality for women?
TTF support women’s rights to good health so much. You could also do more by empowering women in business to help the government with issues of poverty and unemployment. This can be done by making contracts with them which will make them give back something with that same business than just waiting to receive something either food or money.

You work in an industry that is primarily male focused, how easy do you think it is for women to succeed in different careers today?
It’s difficult because it’s not every woman who succeeds its 10% for women and 90% for men. Once given an opportunity women can easily do just a good a job as men.

However women are also overloaded with a lot of house chores. An example is when a woman has to make sure the house is in order before leaving for work in the morning - she makes sure she puts water for a man to bath, prepares the children for school, cleans and tidies and by the time she is reaching work she is already tired. Men don’t understand this and makes women not supported in issues of career.

Men are not good implementing what has been agreed upon e. g family planning and work. You would agree to have children in the next five years but a man will just say “I want us to have a child” and as women you can’t change that - if you’re in college you have to wait for a while to continue; if you have a job he will just say “I want you to stop working” and you have to stop.

If you could make one law to support women’s right and equality what would it be?
Equal opportunities for all and the law’s supporting women’s rights to be respected – this should be included in all laws.

Are you going to be doing anything to recognise international women’s day/ why do you think it is important to recognise international women’s day?
I will be doing nothing as I have to look after my family, but it is important for us to recognise the day because we are the mothers for everyone.

What are some of the main issues you think Zambian women face?
Gender based violence is the biggest issue women in Zambia face.

What more would you like to see TTF do to support women in the community?
By helping them to think about how to raise for money for business and taking them for training on HIV and how to support their families.

What are some of the main problems you see the fellow mothers at TTF and in the community facing?
Stigma around HIV - Women should come out and talk about the things they are facing and not just keep what they are going through to themselves. We have a support group but people are still scared of stigma. By sharing it helps women to understand they aren’t alone and to give us a stronger voice. 


If you could change one thing in Zambia to help support women’s equality, what would it be and why?
Have a woman as president!