Almost
40 security officers from all the administrative regions in the country have
ended a three-day training on HIV and
AIDS prevention and its linkages with Gender Based violence, protective
policing and Human Rights for the reduction of new infection.
During
a three-day training at AbCa’s Creek Lodge in Kassangn in the West Coast
Region, the officers were given an overview of the HIV and AIDS situation in
the country and presented with the different forms of violence against women.
They
were taught how to address stigma and discrimination in the National HIV and
AIDS Response and techniques they can use in communications and advocacy.
The
officers were taken through the prevention and control of Sexually Transmitted
Infections including HIV and AIDS, the HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Act,
strategies to reduce new infections among key populations and ActionAid’s Human
Rights Based Approach to development, HRBA.
The
presentations were made by Mr Bai Cham of ActionAid’ s Global Fund programme,
Dr Sabally of Hands On care, Halimatou Jallow of the National Aids Control
Programme, Almamo Barrow, Jainaba Nyang Njie and Fanta Jatta Sowe of ActionAid,
Lawyer Dawda Jallow, Dr. Sidibeh, a psychologist and Jeggan Loum of Worldview.
The training took place from the 12th to the 14th July 2017.
At
the opening ceremony, ActionAid’s Head of Programmes Almamo Barrow, who was
deputising for his Executive Director, highlighted the importance of the
participation of the security forces in the fight against HIV and AIDS, adding
that the knowledge gained from the training will help them become good
advocates for HIV and AIDS prevention and control.
The
Director of the National AIDS Secretariat Ousman Badji told the officers that
HIV and AIDS is no longer a health issue but a global security concern and that
the police, especially the young men and women, are highly vulnerable to HIV
and AIDS because of their work environment, mobility, age and other factors
that expose them to higher risk of infection than their civilian counterparts.
Badji
urged the officers to make the best use of the training and to disseminate the
information they acquire at the end. In closing the training, the Head of
Communications at ActionAid Jainaba Nyang Njie urged the officers to network
among themselves in their efforts to sensitise their colleagues whilst
Inspector Ebrima Kujabi urged his colleagues to use the knowledge acquired
effectively.
17th
July, 2017
