NGO trains women to address gender based issues

WA, Aug. 2, GNA - The Society for Women and AIDS in Africa (SWAA), an NGO based in Ghana, has trained and empowered 50 female executives from 28 support groups in the country with skills to address gender based violence arising out of the disclosure of HIV status of women. These women trainees' would in turn conduct "step-down training" for over 500 other women within their networks.

Mrs. Cecelia Lodonu-Sam, President of SWAA Ghana made this known to newsmen at Wa when her organization signed a memorandum of understanding with six other community based partner organizations in the Upper West Region.

She said a linkage had also been established with the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service and the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA) to provide protection and legal advice to women who had been abused in their communities. Additionally, her organization would support these women with viable transitional shelters and other support systems within their communities.

In order to prevent new infections and re-infections among women, she said the women were being taught skills and techniques which were vital for positive living.

People living with HIV would also be given effective communication tools to help them to disclose their status without any hindrance, especially couples that were not in agreement. Mrs. Lodonu-Sam said a linkage had been strengthened between support groups and health facilities to ensure effective referral of tuberculosis cases to health facilities. This programme has targeted 1,500 people living with HIV/AIDS and 200 of their partners.

SWAA has also entered into a partnership with Strengthening HIV/AIDS Response Partnership, a USAID funded project to improve access to treatment and care for women living with HIV/AIDS under its comprehensive HIV/AIDS Initiative for Women Living with HIV/AIDS. This initiative aims to reduce the vulnerability of women infected and affected by the disease. 2 Aug. 09