Stakeholders working in the field of HIV prevention have come together to intensify HIV prevention efforts through an HIV Prevention Campaign to take place during the coming FIFA World cup scheduled to kick start on June 11 until July 11, 2010.

The Prevention Thematic Team, coordinated by the National AIDS Commission noted that the effects of the World Cup are bound to have a direct impact on the HIV and AIDS situation in Lesotho. It was similarly observed that HIV and AIDS prevention education could benefit more from the attention that would be drawn by this mega activity in the neighbouring Country of South Africa.

The Prevention Team resolved that the Pioneer Mall would be the most appropriate venue in Maseru for the campaign given that free screening of the FIFA World Cup shall be afforded by the Cinema and other businesses in the Mall, thus attracting a large number of people, especially the youth.

HIV prevention services that will be provided during this campaign include scaling-up condom use, promotion and distribution; as well as social and behaviour change communication. The latter involves peer education and Information, Education, Communication (IEC) materials distribution, drama and films.

The target groups for this activity would be the in-school youth, who would be on school vacation over the period of the campaign, as well as the sexually active population group, which is also vulnerable to HIV infection.

The participating implementing partners include the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW), Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA), Kick 4 Life, Lesotho Red Cross Society (LRCS), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), NGO Coalition on the rights of a child (NGOC), and Population Services International (PSI) and Sesotho Media. These organisations will be providing services at the Pioneer Mall for the entire duration of the World Cup.

Meanwhile similar activities will take place at the borders and these will be undertaken in collaboration with CRS and the Ministry of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation.