Aid in Action

Mnazi Sellers in Kenya Break Barriers, Join HIV Prevention Efforts

Working together to face difficult issues

Mariakani, Kenya  | Thursday, July 12, 2007

 

Cultural norms around gender, sexuality and substance abuse continue to inhibit HIV prevention, care and treatment in Africa. These norms are so ingrained in the fabric of community life that discussing them is often difficult. Examining taboo subjects such as incest, rape, psychological and physical abuse, alcoholism and drug addiction cuts to the core of personal lives in ways distasteful and even frightening in open forums. Many programs have been reluctant to address these issues head on for fear of alienating implementing partners and target audiences. But shying away from these drivers of HIV transmission undermines national efforts to fight the epidemic.

The Regional Outreach Addressing HIV through Development Strategies (ROADS) Project addresses cultural norms by working with influential citizens who manifest “negative” behaviors, such as brewing traditional liquor, engaging in transactional sex, and justifying gender-based violence. Through the project, all groups join in facilitated community meetings to address issues they identify as long-ignored but critical to addressing HIV and AIDS. The goal is to create a non-judgmental environment for difficult, often painful conversations to begin and evolve so solutions can be identified.

Around the region, ROADS’ communities are coalescing to address taboo subjects related to HIV and AIDS. Marginalized but influential groups are joining the response, many for the first time.  In Mariakani, Kenya, in February 2007, the Low Income Women (LIW) cluster held a meeting with 55 mnazi sellers/commercial sex workers. Mnazi is an alcoholic brew made from fermented coconut juice. The mnazi women are organized in a group of 300 members with a merry go round, a phrase used to refer to a group of people who come together and contribute money every month for a worthy cause; for instance assisting members in paying school fees for their children, starting a business, etc. Seven of the 55 women declared their HIV status as being positive. The women were very open during the meeting, many declaring that they doubled their income through selling sex and mnazi. They welcomed the LIW cluster and agreed to work together to educate sellers on HIV and entrepreneurship initiatives.

These Mnazi women are now participating in primary prevention and discussions addressing the link between HIV transmission and alcohol abuse. Their enthusiastic response has surprised community members, who previously thought brewers would be reluctant to participate. The brewers are being trained as peer leaders, promoting condoms in their informal establishments, and referring customers and peers for HIV counseling and testing, care and treatment. Their involvement has raised difficult issues about responsible livelihoods and safe income. But communities now have a platform to explore and build consensus on the way forward.