Drivers,
particularly long distance truck drivers, could play very important roles in
the fight against HIV and AIDS, the project manager for Global Fund’s HIV and
AIDS programme at ActionAid The Gambia has said.
Drivers could help efforts at curbing the spread of the virus if they pay heed to basic recommendations of controlling HIV and AIDS.
Bai Cham made this remark in Farafenni at a forum to sensitise truck drivers on gender-based violence and its intersection with HIV and AIDS.
The outreach was part of efforts at intensifying the interventions aimed at tackling HIV and AIDS.
Mr Cham called on drivers to be proactive in raising awareness among their fellow drivers and vehicle apprentice on HIV and AIDS to address the spread of virus.
Fanta Jatta-Sowe of ActionAid The Gambia urged drivers to promote the education of their girl child.
She said the Women’s Act and the Sexual Offences Act all aim at protecting the health and social status of women and girls.
Mrs Jatta-Sowe said averting gender-based violence, and HIV and AIDS calls for concerted efforts of all relevant stakeholders.
Momodou
Cham, public relations officer of Farafenni Transport Union, thanked Global
Fund and ActionAid The Gambia for the foresight in building the capacity of
transporters on HIV and AIDs mode of transmission and prevention.