WCC NEWS: WCC holds consultation in Democratic Republic of Congo on HIV risks and vulnerabilities among migrants

The World Council of churches (WCC) Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy program, in partnership with Pole Institute, hosted a UNAIDS-PEPFAR Faith Initiative consultation on HIV risks and vulnerabilities among migrants, displaced people and refugees in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo: Isis Minsongo 02 June 2021 The consultation brought together 30 participants including religious leaders from WCC member churches and other faith communities, as well as people living with HIV. Participants were able to strengthen their knowledge and response to HIV, sexual and gender-based violence, trauma, stigma and discrimination. They also learned about ways to raise awareness on HIV testing and access to treatment in conflict areas. Fr Gabriel Hangi, representing the vicar of the Catholic Church in Goma, said, “We are going to urge our churches to continue raising awareness and to invite people to accept themselves and to be free to be tested in order to know their serological status in order to better protect themselves and protect others.” Rev. Dr. Kahwa Njojo, bishop of the Anglican Church of Bunia and a former student of WCC Bossey Ecumenical Institute said, “Churches and religious leaders have realized that in unity we can do many things, and by being united we can achieve what was difficult to achieve when you were alone. So by being together we can manage to respond effectively to vulnerable people.” Isis Kangudie Mana, Central Africa regional coordinator of the WCC Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy program, said: “There is still work to be done on HIV, sexual and gender-based violence, stigma and discrimination within churches against the vulnerable. Continuing to raise awareness about HIV would encourage religious communities to have voluntary testing and access to treatment.” See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland