Rwanda has highlighted prostitution as a central area to curb HIV/AIDS prevalence in the country.
This has been pointed out by Dr Anita Asiimwe, Deputy Director General of Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) during the press briefing in preparation of annual National Paediatric Conference on children and HIV/AIDS.
The conference will focus on adolescents in the National HIV/AIDS response.
The conference which will take place November 9, to 11 in Kigali, will attract over 400 policy makers, international and national researchers, children, health care providers, development partners and different NGO’s.
Responding to igihe.com, Dr. Asiimwe said that a survey was underway across the country to mark the areas where prostitutes normally operate so that they can be gathered together and be educated about their status to make them determine their future lives.
She also said that 36% of the sex workers’ clients have turned out to be married men emphasising that proper education should be ensured.
Responding on the main objective of the forthcoming conference, Dr Asiimwe said that the conference aims at understanding the current status of the HIV epidemic and response among adolescents.
She also said it will aim at advocating for high level commitment, adolescent participation and multi-sectoral response to adolescents, HIV and recommend strategic orientations for greater focus on adolescents in the national HIV response.
Most journalists asked what is being done to the distribution of condoms in schools whereby many of the Seminary schools and institutions have cut short the programme with a view that the distribution will instead increase risks of sexual immorality.
Asiimwe responded to the questions that the Ministry of Health will work along the Ministry of Education to find possible solution to the issue.
There is a report saying that approximately 614 young girls were pregnant in schools last year which shows high risks of getting infected with the pandemic.
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