Kenya

PCEA releases a landmark HIV/AIDS Policy Statement

The PCEA Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center offers information about the ABC model of behavior modification as well as other services. Photo by Gail Bingham.

In April 2006 the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), PC(USA)’s partner in Kenya, passed a HIV/AIDS Policy at its General Assembly. The ground-breaking policy includes the ABC model of behavior modification:

• A—Abstinence from sexual activity until marriage;
• B—be faithful once married (zero-grazing);
• C—condom use for those who go against the teachings of the Church; for discordant couples or in a marriage where both partners are HIV positive.

Most African churches only support the AB behavior modification model.

The role of condoms was at the heart of an arduous yearlong process for the 10 members of the PCEA HIV/AIDS policy committee, six from the PCEA, two people from country agencies and two from international agencies. Historically, African churches have taken a more conservative approach and oppose condom use for any reason.

The Policy addresses:

• Nature of HIV/AIDS
• Level of Interventions and Activities
• Prevention and Education
• Anti-Retroviral Therapy [ART]
• Human Rights
• Families Affected by HIV/AIDS including Children Orphaned due to AIDS and
  • Other Vulnerable Children [OVC] Affected by HIV/AIDS
• Home-Based Care
• Counseling and Testing
• Persons Living with HIV/AIDS [PLWHAs] and Participation within the Church
• Advocacy

During the summer, PCEA trained clergy in HIV and AIDS prevention methods including the ABC model and has plans to train 5,000 lay leaders over the next four years. The PCEA wants to combat AIDS family by family.

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