Hannah’s Journey of HIV Prevention and Advocacy
Almost two years later, Hannah remains a passionate advocate for HIV prevention in her community. Since starting PrEP in November 2022, she has influenced over twenty high-risk young women to access PrEP. She credits the USAID/PEPFAR-funded EMPOWER project for introducing her to PrEP and condom use in 2022. Prior to this, she engaged in unprotected sex which resulted in an unplanned pregnancy.
Hannah, now nineteen, was a member of Tiyamike DREAMS Club in Phalombe from October 2022, graduating in July 2023. In January 2024, she found a new boyfriend. Applying knowledge from DREAMS club sessions, she encouraged and escorted him to get tested for HIV at the nearest health facility. At the facility, her boyfriend was diagnosed HIV-positive. Since then, Hannah has been supportive in ensuring he adheres to his antiretroviral treatment. Meanwhile, she continues on PrEP and consistently uses condoms for dual protection.
Although EMPOWER no longer provides direct services to AGYW, transitioning to technical assistance for its successor project, Kuteteza Activity, she still accesses integrated SRH/ HIV services from Migowi Health Centre, escorted by a YCBDA previously engaged by EMPOWER.
Hannah expresses gratitude for EMPOWER’s intervention. “EMPOWER changed my life,” she says. “Their guidance and support helped me make right decisions concerning my health, and I have encouraged health-seeking behaviors among my peers.” As of March 2024, EMPOWER had reached a total of 176,466 AGYW with SRH/HIV services in Machinga, Zomba, and Phalombe districts.