Girls Empowerment Network (GENET) has taken a significant step in strengthening HIV prevention efforts among adolescent girls and young women in Thyolo District by distributing bicycles to 10 peer educators in Traditional Authority (T/A) Ngolongoliwa.
The initiative, aimed at addressing mobility challenges faced by the peer educators, is part of GENET’s broader mission to reduce HIV infections through community-based awareness and education.
The bicycles are expected to enhance the reach and efficiency of peer educators, who conduct HIV-risk-reduction club sessions within the communities.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, GENET Project Coordinator for the district, Charles Nyerere, said the organisation recognises the critical role peer educators play in promoting behaviour change and spreading accurate information on HIV prevention.
“These bicycles will ease the burden of mobility for our peer educators, enabling them to access more areas and engage with more adolescent girls and young women. This is our way of contributing to the fight against HIV in Thyolo,” said Nyerere.
He said GENET intends to reach a total of 120 peer educators across 10 traditional authorities in the district, equipping them with tools and support necessary for their grassroots work.
Traditional Authority Ngolongoliwa commended the organisation for the initiative, noting that improved mobility for peer educators will enhance the delivery of health messages in the area.
“This support will go a long way in ensuring that vulnerable girls and young women in my area receive the information and guidance they need to protect themselves,” he said.
Assistant District Youth Officer, Humphreys Kapalamula, echoed the appreciation, stating that the council depends heavily on partners like GENET to reach out to the youth, who are most at risk of contracting HIV.
“As a district, we welcome such partnerships. Empowering peer educators with resources like bicycles increases our collective capacity to fight HIV,” Kapalamula said.
Mercy Kambalame, a team leader for peer educators in Ngolongoliwa, expressed gratitude on behalf of her peers and assured GENET of their commitment to the cause.
“These bicycles will make our work easier. We will use them responsibly and make sure we reach as many young people as possible with life-saving messages,” she said.
