Cameroon Month Against AIDS : African Synergy Breaking Communication Barriers

The Pan African non-governmental organisation, African Synergy Against AIDS and Suffering, founded by the First Lady of Cameroon, Chantal Biya, is breaking down the communication barriers while uplifting the taboos around the HIV pandemic. Yesterday, November 22, 2023, the humanitarian association organised an educative talk aimed at empowering teachers, students, community leaders and council workers to curb HIV and drugs consumption in the community. The Executive Secretary of African Synergy, Jean Stéphane Biatcha, chaired discussions on the theme: “Community Leadership in the Fight against AIDS and Drugs,” at the Lycée Général Leclerc in Yaounde. The event took place within the framework of the 8th edition of the Cameroon Month against AIDS, in preparation to commemorate the 36th World AIDS Day come December 1, 2023. 
The Head of the Division of Studies and Projects at African Synergy, Carole Tengue stressed that the educative talk focused on convincing, persuading, motivating and reassuring communities to change their behaviour in the fight against AIDS. She explained that there is still need to raise awareness about AIDS and drugs, deal with the HIV stigma, break down the communication barriers while uplifting certain taboos. According to Carole Tengue, there are still school institutions which do not accept the distribution of condoms amongst students. Whereas, there is need to face the reality on the ground which is no longer abstinence, given the rate at which young girls are affected by HIV.
Rodrígue Betayene from African Synergy and Dr Michel Carlos Tommo who is a virologist from the “Chantal Biya” International Reference Centre for Research on Prevention and Management of HIV/AIDS (CIRCB) reinforced the capacity of participants on general knowledge about HIV/drugs and the need to break taboos surrounding the topics. They called on students to denounce classmates who are involved in drug consumption. Franklin Massango, Head of the Communication Unit of African Synergy reiterated the role of community leaders in curbing the pandemic. From discussions, it was reveal...