“Young Voices Matter: Zimbabwean HIV Advocate Tafadzwa Mapininga Speaks Out Against Stigma and Discrimination”
Subheading: “Mapininga’s inspiring story highlights the importance of peer-led support and the need for young people to be at the forefront of the HIV response”
As the world marks World AIDS Day, a young Zimbabwean HIV advocate, Tafadzwa Mapininga, is using her own experiences to raise awareness about the importance of addressing stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV (PLHIV). Mapininga, who was diagnosed with HIV at a young age, has become a powerful voice for young people living with the virus, advocating for their rights and needs to be prioritized in the HIV response.
In an exclusive interview with Media Talk Africa, Mapininga shared her inspiring story, highlighting the challenges she faced as a young person living with HIV and the impact of stigma on her mental health and well-being. She emphasized the importance of peer-led support and the need for young people to be at the forefront of the HIV response.
“I wish people understood how deeply stigma hurts – it makes it so much harder for young people to seek help and directly affects our mental health and well-being,” Mapininga said. “HIV is a manageable chronic health condition with the right care and support.”
Mapininga’s journey as an HIV youth advocate began when she received care and support from Zvandiri, a non-profit organization that trains young people living with HIV as peer counselors and connects them with children and adolescents also living with HIV. Through Zvandiri, Mapininga received counseling, psychosocial support, and training, which enabled her to take care of her own health and become a confident advocate for her peers.
“I am now an overcomer, survivor, and fighter,” Mapininga said. “The support I received and open discussions with young people like me are powerful enough to make a difference in our lives. Now I am driven by a desire to help others find the same hope and resilience within themselves.”
Mapininga’s message is clear: young people living with HIV must be empowered to take control of their health and well-being, and their voices must be heard in the HIV response. She emphasized the importance of recognizing youth sexual and reproductive health and rights and continuing the conversation on HIV and mental health to end pediatric AIDS by 2030.
“We are the future leaders and changemakers, and our involvement ensures sustainable solutions and continued progress,” Mapininga said. “I don’t want to see my peers go through the same journey. I have pledged to speak out and be an advocate. I will be the voice of the voiceless. We need more knowledge surrounding HIV because stigma kills. Not everyone living with HIV has fully accepted their status – it’s not ignorance but stigma and discrimination. I don’t care what people say about my HIV status, but more about those who still find it difficult to accept. That’s why I fight against stigma and discrimination towards PLHIV.”
As the world continues to grapple with the HIV epidemic, Mapininga’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of addressing stigma and discrimination towards PLHIV. Her message of hope and resilience is a beacon of light for young people living with HIV, and her advocacy work is a testament to the power of peer-led support in improving the lives of children and young people living with HIV.
Tafadzwa Mapininga’s inspiring story highlights the importance of peer-led support and the need for young people to be at the forefront of the HIV response. Her advocacy work is a powerful reminder of the importance of addressing stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV, and her message of hope and resilience is a beacon of light for young people living with HIV.
