Accra, Jan. 27, GNA - About 50 kayayee (women porters) selected from Agbobloshie and Mallam Atta markets have been taken through one week training to become peer educators on HIV/AIDS and Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) issues among their peers. The training, organized by Society of Women Against AIDS in Africa (SWAA- Ghana), in collaboration with UNFPA was part of a UN reform focusing on division of labour in relation to HIV and AIDS, which focused more on prevention intervention, targeting young people, women and vulnerable groups.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview, Ms Esi Awotwi, HIV and AIDS Programme Officer of UNFPA explained that a research conducted disclosed that the Kayayee had been left out in intervention programmes on HIV and AIDS and there was no evidence-based data on them. "Being part of the vulnerable group, we thought it was wise for us to reach out to them and offer some education on HIV and AIDS and empower them to lead responsible lives". She said the training was also aimed at strengthening the legal literacy campaign, counselling and testing on the pandemic as well as human rights violations and how to deal with those situations.

The kayayee were taken through the concept of peer education, human anatomy and physiology, pregnancy and child bearing, abortion, sexually transmitted infections, SRH rights, basic facts about HIV and AIDS, stigma and discrimination, condom use and demonstration, facilitation skills, care and support prevention, gender based violence and sex. They were also taught personal hygiene, communication skills, record keeping and reporting Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV and AIDS.

Ms Awotwi noted that UNFPA in collaboration with SWAA would help strengthen the existing associations of the kayayee to enable free flow of information and empower interested ones to become non traditional distributors of condom and other over the counter contraceptives. UNFPA would also link the kayayee to the Domestic and Victim Support Unit (DOVSO) of the Ghana Police Service and Ministry of Women and Children Affairs for further support and information on SRH and human rights issues to improve their lives and that of their children."

Mrs Josephine Sackey Executive Secretary of SWAA told the GNA that SWAA would be holding periodic meetings with the trained kayayee and further empower them with some basic skills and establish condom retail outlets. "They will offer education and counselling to their peers on HIV and AIDS and condom use and refer issues beyond them to the appropriate quarters when necessary". The kayayee will also be helped to register under the national Health Insurance Scheme to enable them to access health care when in need.

Mariama Sulley, a leader at the Mallam Atta market on behalf of the others commended UNFPA and SWAA for empowering them with knowledge and information on HIV and AIDS as well as other reproductive health issues. "We now feel part and parcel of society because we are always left out in national activities and empowering us with these useful information would help us manage our lives very well so we can also contribute our quota to national development".