FCI Press Statement

EMPOWER MEN FOR A HIV-FREE GENERATION

PRESS STATEMENT

1. Preamble

The Heads of Member Churches of the National Council of Churches of Kenya have met here at Jumuia Conference and Country Home, Limuru, to officially commence the implementation of a programme that is aimed at empowering men to actively engage in the journey to a HIV-Free Generation. During our meeting, we reflected on the scripture recorded in Hebrews 2: 18

Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

We appreciated that the suffering Jesus went through means He is able to understand and help those who go through challenging times, including those affected or infected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Recognizing the mandate given to the church by our Lord Jesus to heal the sick and comfort the suffering, the National Council of Churches of Kenya, in collaboration with partners who include Christian Health Association of Kenya, Evangelical Alliance of Kenya, Seventh Day Adventists and PEPFAR ( is honoured to launch the Faith and Community Initiative (FCI).

Through the Faith and Community Initiative, the Council is seeking to increase the number of men and children who know their HIV status and to stop Sexual Violence Against Women and Children.

1.  Commitments to Promote A HIV-Free Generation

Globally, there is a commitment by all actors to ensure that by 2030, there won’t be any new HIV infections, which will be the onset of a HIV-Free Generation. To contribute to this aspiration, the heads of member churches of the National Council of Churches of Kenya, through the Faith and Community Initiative, have committed to:

1. To lead by example by taking the HIV test in public so as to inspire the members of our churches to also take the test
2. To establish and strengthen support groups within our congregations for persons affected and infected by HIV
3. To strengthen the Rites of Passage programmes within our congregations and use them, alongside the regular children and youth programmes, to inculcate positive values in the children and the youth. These programmes will address risk factors including drug and substance abuse, violence, and responsible sexual behaviour.
4. To facilitate our congregations to design and implement HIV information sharing programmes targeting men, women, youth and children
5. To fight the stigma on HIV and AIDS by creating a healthy environment for persons affected and infected by HIV within our churches and wider community
6. To reach out to men to empower them to be champions of the journey towards a HIV-Free Generation, and to protect children from violence
7. To establish safety nets within our congregations where survivors of Sexual Violence Against Children are cared for and supported to pursue justice
8. To establish programmes within our churches for regular dissemination of information on HIV and AIDS and on prevention of Sexual Violence Against Children

3.  Hurdles to a HIV-Free Generation

We are confident that these interventions will overcome the four main hurdles that hinder the journey to a HIV-Free Generation. These hurdles include:

1. Incorrect perceptions about HIV, which will be dealt with through promotion of dissociation of HIV from sex so as to have HIV discussions that are free of sex related taboos
2. Forced sex and sexual violence, against which we will educate our members and the wider community on appropriate responses and the pursuit of justice
3. High numbers of Kenyans who are not aware of their HIV status, in which case we call upon the National Aids and STIs Control Programme (NASCOP) to partner with our pastors to provide testing services during our weekly worship services.
4. The failure by men to be actively engaged in the initiatives to combat HIV and Sexual Violence Against Children. Recognizing the leadership role that men play in the family and community, we are convinced that:

1. When we reach men, the correct information about HIV will spread in the community
2. When we reach men, sexual violence against children, against men and against women will reduce and survivors will get justice

• When we reach men, the number of people who test and know their HIV status annually will increase thereby reducing transmission by those who don’t know their status

1. When we reach men, infants will receive the necessary Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission since men will be promote ante natal health care
2. When we reach men, we shall have made big strides towards attaining a HIV-Free Generation

4.  Conclusion

The Bible in 1 Timothy 5: 8 warns that

“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever”. The provision expected of men for their families is not only material, but also security from exposure to HIV and sexual violence.

We therefore conclude by calling upon all our fellow clergy to draw the distinction between HIV the virus, AIDS the disease, and moral character. Let us all work to empower men to play their role in the journey towards a HIV-Free Generation.

Signed on this 17^th day of February 2020 at Jumuia Conference and Country Home, Limuru.

Archbishop Timothy Ndambuki
Chairperson

Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui

General Secretary

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