Women want more access to female condoms

Various organisations, including traditional leaders, women and men's organisations in KwaZakhele got an opportunity to voice their concerns and requests on what they want to see added in the new National Strategic Plan (NSP) for HIV and Aids 2012 - 2016 to be unveiled by President Jacob Zuma today.

Commercial sex workers complained to Motlanthe that most of the time they were being harassed by police officers on the streets, and urged government to intervene by ensuring their protection.

A women's group asked for more access to free female condoms so that they would not have to negotiate the use of condoms with their partners.

Motlanthe said government would take up the issue of harassment with law enforcement units but emphasised that it was important for sex workers to have access to health services, including counselling and getting tested on a daily basis.

"The programme will also include truck drivers as it is important for them as well to get these services. We also encourage men to accompany their partners when they go and get tested so that they won't become victims of HIV and Aids," Motlanthe said, adding that government also supported men programmes, not only women.

Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi noted that most of the issues raised by the community were being taken care of in the new NSP.

"Even before the development of the new NSP, we had already instructed all hospital CEOs that when raped woman come to the health care institutions, they must receive help first and ask legal issues after. We've also agreed to accelerate the distribution of female condoms from one to six million.

"We are still committing ourselves to ensure that by April next year, we will launch the School Health Programme and about 400 retired nurses have already come forwarded and registered on our database and are prepared to work in the schools," Motsoaledi said.

He further acknowledged traditional leaders for working in partnership with government in addressing all the issues that have been problematic concerning traditional male circumcision.

One of the community members, Babalwa Makaula*, 29, said she was satisfied with the response by Motlanthe and Motsoaledi, especially with the issue of more access to female condoms.

"Sometimes it is difficult to negotiate condom use with your men, and having your own condom will save a lot of lives because one doesn't have to tell her partner but just put it on ... The government is trying. The issue of HIV and Aids is challenging because it depends on each one to take responsibility," said Makaula, who is on ARVS and has been living with the disease for more than 10 years. - BuaNews

*Name has been changed.