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Transforming behaviour . and creating hope


Students at Midland State University in Gweru use drama to show other students how HIV can spread. Photo: William Nyamuchengwa/OxfamAUS.

Across Africa the HIV epidemic is hitting young people hard, but in Zimbabwe there are signs of hope…

Zimbabwe is the first country in southern Africa to show a reduction in the prevalence of HIV, down from one in four adults in 2003 to one in five adults now. While it is recognised that young people remain at the greatest risk, university students have largely been ignored due to the mistaken belief that they are well informed.

However, thanks to a dedicated group of students and an innovative approach, this situation is now changing.

Created by university students for university students, SHAPE (which stands for sustainability, hope, action, prevention, education) is an education and training program which takes a strong gender stance, emphasising that male behaviour needs to change dramatically in order to effectively reduce the spread of HIV.

Involving more than 1,000 students, the program is successful because it takes into account the realities of young people’s lives and gets them to participate in activities that bring them together in a relaxed and social atmosphere. The program uses drama, quiz shows and sporting events as well as fact sheets and discussion groups


Inspirational gender activists help other students understand how changing their behaviour can reduce the spread of HIV. Photo: William Nyamuchengwa/OxfamAUS

Male and female students are encouraged to become gender activists and to become a contact point for other students to learn about HIV. Men take part in masculinities training to improve their attitudes towards gender equality, while women receive assertiveness training.

Students are now able to talk among themselves much more openly and honestly. Condom use on campus is increasing, women are taking on more leadership roles and male students are showing greater respect to their female counterparts.

Grace Chirange, a fourth year student at Midland State University says she has seen a great change in attitudes and relationships:

“Before SHAPE there was less student-to-student interaction. Now I find I can go to the next guy and tell him risky behaviour is not good.”

Oxfam Australia needs your support to keep the enthusiasm going with each new intake of students – and help stop the spread of HIV.