News online
Billboard project promotes safer sex messages in Namibia
7 April 2005
Billboards designed to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS among truck drivers in Namibia are wending their way to the country’s border posts and truck ports as part of a project to advance trade union responses to the pandemic.
The billboard campaign, established by ITF affiliate the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (NATAU) in conjunction with the ITF, is aimed in particular at long distance drivers, who are among the groups most susceptible to HIV/AIDS.
At the campaign’s recent launch, John Kwedhi, Secretary General of the NATAU urged the Namibian transport ministry to ensure that border posts were well-staffed so that drivers did not have to stand in long queues. These queues often led to increasing incidences of casual sex.
Minister of Works, Transport and Communication, Moses Amweelo, who also attended the event, said long distance drivers had a responsibility to safeguard their national pride through responsible behaviour. He was aware that drivers were taken away from their homes and families for long periods and faced a higher risk of infection as a result of sexual activities with casual partners. This meant communities along the highways and people at the homes of the drivers shared the risk of infection.
“If you cannot abstain or be faithful because of the long periods you are away from home, then please use condoms,” urged Amweelo.
Back to current news online stories
|
