”Together we can do more”
A Multi-Faith Pre-Conference took place prior to the XVIII International AIDS Conference on July 17 in Vienna, Austria. Centered on the theme ‘Rights Here, Right Now: What’s faith got to do with it?’, the one-day pre-conference allowed over 250 people from different faiths to explore the intersections between faith traditions and human rights.
Comments on the breakout session “Together we can do more”: strengthening religious leadership in the response to HIV by Ms. Sophie Dilmitis, World YWCA SRHR and HIV and AIDS Coordinator.
At the Multi-Faith Pre-Conference session on religious leadership it was clear that strengthening such leadership in the response to HIV Communication and dialogue is a key issue.
The question is, what language are church leaders using? Do we use the same language, or can the language they use be hurtful and damaging to a person living with HIV and AIDS?
We must see to it that the religious leaders of today receive the right messages through dialogue with people living with HIV and AIDS on equal grounds, so that they may use the right language. And, it is not all about the spoken language - silence is also a powerful way of communicating. Religious leaders need to dare to communicate about HIV and AIDS.
Dr Hany El Banna suggested that since most religious leaders are men, it is up to the women to educate them as they know the nature of men best. Religious leaders need us to guide them.
Dr Kezevino Aram talked about the importance of religious leaders in the empowerment of children. This is undoubtedly important, but let us not forget that it is their HIV positive mothers who need care to then be able to take care of their children.
The lively discussion in the audience gave food for thought. We also hold a responsibility when it comes to “educating” religious leaders. Often we invite them to open a session or a plenary with a prayer or ask them to give a short speech. Then they are off to other duties, rather than staying and listening to what the people at grass roots levels have to say. They therefore miss the opinions and knowledge that could probably make them even better leaders. In many communities health care is provided by faith based organisations which means that the dialogue between the caregiver and the caretaker is crucial.
A participant commented that religious leaders often forget that they are also vulnerable human beings. Maybe we also forget that religious leaders are simply human beings! Instead, we are afraid of them or have too much respect to dare to question what they are saying. We are afraid of telling them that by being silent in certain situations or using remarks such as “GOD hates HIV” they are hurting someone living with HIV and AIDS.
It is evident that there is an urgent need to engage the church leadership and people living with HIV and AIDS in an equal face-to-face dialogue where both parties are listening, understanding and learning from one another with mutual respect.
Related link:
Read the presentation of Sophie Dilmitis on World YWCA Blog Leading Change
