From Rhoda Godwin, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Agency for the Control of AIDS, BYSACA in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA and support from GlobalFund has inaugurated the HIV Gender and Human Rights State Response Team in Yenagoa
Speaking during the event, Director General, BYSACA, Dr Ramoni Temple Iluma charged the State Response Team, SRT to work collectively to address Gender and Human Rights issues in the state particularly for People Living With HIV, PLHIV.
Dr Iluma noted that the State Response Team was set up to work with the state government to establish laws and policies aimed at supporting Gender and Human Rights response programming in the state inorder to promote and protect equal rights for all persons.
“We are here to talk about human rights, how we see people differently especially those living with HIV. How we respect and respond to those living with HIV in the state is very important, we must work against stigmatization and discrimination in the state”
He expressed appreciation to all the stakeholders in the HIV response for attending the event.
Representative of NACA, Mr Emeka Nwankwo who delivered a lecture on Gender Related Concepts and HIV Programming stated that the objectives of the national response for HIV requires consistent and systematic integration of key human rights principles into all stages of legislation, policy, development, programming and planning.
He urged all stakeholders to use their good offices to protect the rights of key population and vulnerable groups.
In a goodwill message, Chairperson, GRIT, Barr Diseye Egberipou gave assurance that they are ready to work with BYSACA to ensure that the rights of all PLHIV are respected in the state.
Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer, CEO ENWAF, Lady Eunice Nnachi who is also a member of the State Response Team promised to work harmoniously with others to achieve set goals and objectives.
The HIV Gender and Human Rights State Response Team comprises members of the Gender Response Initiative Team, GRIT, Network of Persons Living With HIV, NEPHWAN, NAWOJ, NUJ, NGOS and HIV Implementing partners.
