What can one person do?

What can one person do? By Fungai Machirori What can an individual achieve in a life time? The possibilities are almost infinite. But what is possible for one person to achieve in a life time, especially in response to HIV? Often, we hide behind the collective “we” when we discuss issues around HIV and AIDS, speaking as groups and even communities about what “we” will do, and how “we” will respond. While collective efforts are important for an effective response to HIV and AIDS, we must never lose sight of the great power and importance of the individual “I” when we address issues relating to the epidemic. What can I do to ensure that HIV becomes less of a burden for my generation, as well as for future generations to come? I got to thinking about this question after reading about the “One Man Can Campaign” – a campaign being run in seven African countries; including South Africa, Kenya, Malawi and Namibia; by the Sonke Gender Justice Network and other partners. The campaign promotes, among other things, the idea that men have an important role to play in creating a more equitable and gender conscious world. What I liked about the campaign name was that it emphasised the importance of just one person: one man. It didn’t appeal to all men as one undefined group, but to just one man, in the belief that whoever heard about the campaign would identify himself as that one man. And if one man can, another and another can too. It all begins with each person having the conviction and taking up the responsibility to make a difference, somehow, thereby creating a domino effect for all who follow to do the same. This is very similar to the “It Begins With You” campaign which, once again, emphasises the responsibility that each person has, in realising the possibility of an HIV-free generation. Such a generation, as this catchphrase reminds us, will not come about without each and every person making an effort towards its realisation. It is always important for every person to ask themselves what they are doing to ensure that they will be the change that they want to see in the world, with regards to HIV and AIDS. Information is all around us, but what we do with it is the most important thing. If we see and hear the messages, but do not heed them, then we gain nothing. If we continue to engage in unprotected sex, fuel stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV (PLHIV), resist HIV testing and counselling, and don’t take into consideration our loved ones when we make important sexual decisions that may have repercussions for them, then all the books, posters and pamphlets circulating around us are worth nothing. Action taken towards positive and lasting behaviour change is what counts. And this is where it takes just one person taking it upon him or herself to do the right thing that we can conquer HIV. The real leaders in the response to HIV and AIDS need not only be politicians, advocates or activists – it is you and I. YOU can be real leader, too, if you take it upon yourself, daily, to consider the positive impact that your example of determination to create an HIV-free generation can have. One man can. One woman can. Before we start to think about what can be done as communities, societies, nations – and finally, as the world – we need to think about what we can do as individuals to protect ourselves and those we love to ensure a safe and healthy future. What have you done to make a difference? This should be the question you ask yourself each time you go to bed. It is only after each person has given an encouraging answer to this question that we can contemplate the impact of a collective response.