March 26, 2007

Sikia Kengele is a new national initiative to encourage faithfulness for HIV prevention that uses the symbol of a bell to represent a wake up call for behaviour change. Everyone--regardless one's age or religion--can use faithfulness to keep HIV away from themselves and their families. Tanzanians will be urged to get tested for HIV and remain faithful to their partner.  Sikia Kengele is being implemented by the Tanzania Marketing and Communication (T-MARC) Project with support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and has been designed to support the work of the Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) and the Tanzanian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s National AIDS Control Program (NACP).  The launch will take place March 27, 2007, at 10 a.m. in Chalinze, Pwani District at the Uwanja wa Nyundo grounds. 

The Guests of Honour will be Hon. Alhajj Ali Hassan Mwinyi, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Ms. Pamela White, USAID/Tanzania Director, and Bishop Sylvester Gamanywa of Word and Peace (WAPO) Mission and TACAIDS Commissioner.

Sikia Kengele will mobilize communities in high-risk areas including along major transportation corridors and in and around mining and plantation areas.   Community influentials--politicians, religious and health leaders, peer educators-- will be designated ‘Bell Ringers,’ charged with igniting talk on risks associated with having multiple sexual partners and the benefits of knowing one’s status and remaining HIV-free.  Bell ringers will champion Sikia Kengele messages in bars, stadiums, places of worship, farms, bus stations and other points of interaction.

Giant Bell entertainment sessions designed to mobilize communities into action will not shy away from addressing negative behaviors such as the sugar daddy phenomena or use of multiple partners.

Radio spots aired on three national stations will support these activities to reach a wider audience. 

Former Tanzanian President Hon. Alhajj Ali Hassan Mwinyi stresses, “Do not ignore the dangers of having multiple sexual partners.  Those who fail to change their behavior now can only suffer the consequences later.”

Pamela White, USAID/Tanzania director, commented, “Everyone should be talking about faithfulness. In Uganda, faithfulness has contributed to important drops in HIV prevalence.  Tanzanians should apply these lessons here.  Social norms must change – protect your loved ones.  Keep HIV away!”

For further information contact:
Abdulrazak Badru
Communications Director
T-MARC Project Tel: 0754-280048
Email : abadru@tmarc.or.tz

File/Press Release Sikia Kengele