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CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT |
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Program Update
HIV/AIDS Prevention Program Update 1 CHRRD, in collaboration with NELA (Network on Ethics, Law/Human Rights HIV/AIDS, Prevention, Support and Care), is committed to a one-year HIV/AIDS Prevention Project, which commenced in May 2005. Preliminary participatory community assessments were carried out and approval for the project was granted by traditional leaders in the target area. In addition, support was gathered from the local government bodies. The first quarter of this project led to a highly successful Sensitization Seminar in the focus Community of Lalupon. The Community had been identified as high risk because of low literacy levels, a lack of adequate and accurate HIV/AIDS education and information, and the high vulnerability of the people due to their occupations as trader women and male okada (motorcycle taxi) drivers. The program, delivered in the local language of Yoruba, attracted 100 participants and was widely popular. After official addresses from representatives of the Commissioner of Health in Oyo State and NELA, the program turned to the testimonies of three people living with HIV. Their testimonies opened a “door of understanding” for the participants, as witnessed by the high quality of engagement and participation during the discussion period. The main messages delivered through these testimonies were that, “HIV is real no dey show for face” (or, that we are unable to tell who has HIV simply by their appearance) and that stigmatization facilitates the spread of HIV because it reduces the likelihood that people will be tested (to avoid stigma). This Seminar mobilized the community to take action and join the Prevention Project. People were moved by the testimonies and highly motivated and enthusiastic about learning more about HIV/AIDS prevention. The participants committed to Peer Education and the distribution of condoms, which were followed up in a later stage of the program.
For More Information Contact: Email: erubamio@yahoo.co.uk,
CHRRDNigeria@gmail.com, chrrd92@yahoo.com
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Last modified: 29 November 2005 |
