Rosa’s HIV journey - the transformative power of advocacy and community engagement

This year's World AIDS Day theme Take the rights path: My health, my right! is an opportunity to commend on the outstanding work of activists and champions like Rosa Pedro. She has dedicated her life to the rights and health of people living with HIV in Angola and beyond.

Rosa Francisco Pedro's life was forever changed at age 33 when she tested positive for HIV. Today, as a 54-year-old leader of MWENHO, an association of women living with HIV in Angola, Rosa plays a critical role advocating for the rights and health of people living with HIV, representing Angola civil society at the Lusophone community health network meeting.

Rosa shared her story, from diagnosis to treatment and empowerment journey, illustrating the transformative power of advocacy and community engagement. 

Rosa's health challenges began in 2000 with severe symptoms leading to hospitalization. However, it wasn't until 2003, encouraged by a missionary nurse, that Rosa bravely got tested, confirming the HIV-positive diagnosis. In 2004, she enrolled on antiretroviral therapy and co-founded the MWENHO Association. Under the guidance of the missionary nurse who first encouraged her to get tested, Rosa learned the importance of community outreach and support, which fuelled her commitment to activism. As Rosa's knowledge and experience grew, so did her role as an activist.

By educating herself and others about HIV, advocating for treatment access, and sharing her experiences, Rosa became an influential leader. Her work focuses not only on improving the condition of people living with HIV in Angola but also on fostering collaboration among Portuguese-speaking countries facing similar challenges.

Now, Rosa represents people living with HIV at international meetings such as the Lusophone meeting. “These forums are crucial for discussing challenges, sharing successful strategies, and building solidarity among nations with shared linguistic and cultural ties,” said Rosa when asked about the relevance of the event.

Despite significant strides, Rosa acknowledges ongoing challenges, such as political commitment and resource allocation for community led activities in Angola. However, she remains hopeful and motivated, seeing these meetings as vital opportunities to push for change and strengthen community ties across borders.

Rosa Francisco Pedro embodies the spirit of resilience and empowerment. From facing the challenges linked to her diagnosis, she has become an inspiration and a catalyst for change, influencing policies and inspiring communities across the Portuguese-speaking countries.

Rosa’s journey has been long and at times painful, but it has also been filled with learning and growth. Today, she stands as a survivor, as an advocate and a leader, eager to share her knowledge and empower others. 

Rosa extended her heartfelt gratitude to WHO and all partners who support these vital international meetings. She emphasizes the importance of continued collaboration and empowerment, which are key to advancing the health and rights of people living with HIV in Angola and beyond. 

More about the lusophone countries' collaboration initiative

The third lusophone countries' meeting to promote the elimination of HIV, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and tuberculosis (TB) as public health problems by 2030 was held in Brasília, Brazil, between 12-14 March 2024. 

With focus on integrated responses to HIV, hepatitis, STIs, and TB. The meeting aimed to enhance collaboration and share best practices to eliminate these diseases as public health problems by 2030 in Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, and São Tomé and Príncipe. This meeting built upon previous gatherings in Cabo Verde (2014) and Mozambique (2016), where countries shared experiences and discussed the implementation of new WHO policies on HIV. 

The fourth meeting of the Lusophone country collaboration was held virtually on 6 November 2024.