The spread of HIV/AIDS within Karamoja is closely related to the frequency of rape during violent cattle-raiding among the region’s different clans, as well as during courtship.

Another contributing factor is the still-common practice of bride inheritance, in which newly widowed women are taken as wives by a male member of their deceased husband’s family. Where a widow has been infected with HIV by her husband there is a risk that she in turn will unknowingly infect her new husband.

To counter these practices, the IRC provides education and counseling to rape survivors and offers community education programs about the effects of rape and violence against women.

The IRC also sponsors community gatherings where drama groups perform plays and songs with HIV-related educational themes.

“The performances convey to male audiences that rape and abuse of women are flatly unacceptable,” says IRC HIV/AIDS program officer Drametu Jimmy.

The performers in the dramas act out of their own life experience - many are HIV-infected themselves.

“I do this to soften the hearts in the community,” said Amuge Patricia, a member of a drama group based in Kotido district. “I want them to know that being infected does not make you cursed or a monster.”

Read the full story, by IRC’s Thomas Bohnett, here.