The National Agency for the Control of AIDS is in partnership with the Global Fund to launch a comprehensive three-month sensitisation programme, with a dedicated focus on tackling the prevailing gender and human rights challenges that significantly affect individuals living with or affected by HIV.
The agency disclosed this in a press statement on Thursday, signed by its head of the Public Relations and Protocol, Toyin Aderibigbe.
The innovative programme slated for October-December, 2023 underscores the unwavering commitment to championing and safeguarding the rights and well-being of all people living with HIV while striving to create a more inclusive and equitable society.
The statement noted that the journey towards curbing the spread of HIV and enhancing the quality of life for those affected is plagued by a multitude of obstacles, including gender-based discrimination and human rights infringements.
“These barriers worsen the impact of HIV on affected individuals, perpetuating stigmatization, discrimination, and hindering access to vital healthcare services,” it said.
According to the Director General of NACA, Dr Gambo Aliyu, “People living with, vulnerable to or affected by HIV are entitled to enjoyment of all human rights and exercising equal participation in civil, political, social, economic and cultural life, without prejudice, stigma or discrimination of any kind.
“Unfortunately, these people are either unaware of their rights and responsibilities or cannot seek redress when necessary, thus, the need for the sensitisation and popularisation of the availability and pertinence of the provisions of access to justice as it pertains to human rights, gender-based violence and the national HIV & AIDS response.”
The PUNCH reports that the three-month sensitisation programme aims to reinforce public awareness of the fundamental principles and significance of the National HIV and AIDS Anti-discrimination Act of 2014, heighten public consciousness regarding the intersection of gender and human rights issues with HIV/AIDS and their profound implications for individuals and communities.
The programme will also enhance the general population’s knowledge of a step-by-step guide for taking action in cases where the rights of individuals living with and affected by HIV and AIDS are violated, including information about grievance reporting and available redress mechanisms in the country.
It also programme will encompass an array of activities, including workshops, webinars, community outreach initiatives, and awareness campaigns, and will engage a diverse range of stakeholders, including healthcare providers, civil society organisations, affected individuals, and the broader public.
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