MONUSCO raises women prisoners’ and minors’ awareness of the Covid-19 and HIV-AIDS in Bunia

MONUSCO raises women prisoners’ and minors’ awareness of the Covid-19 and HIV-AIDS in Bunia. Photo MONUSCO/Jean-Tobie OKALA

15 Jun 2020

MONUSCO raises women prisoners’ and minors’ awareness of the Covid-19 and HIV-AIDS in Bunia

Jean-Tobie OKALA

 

Forty-eight female prisoners and thirty-two under-age boys detained in Bunia prison were sensitized last Thursday, June 11, by MONUSCO HIV / AIDS Section on the Covid-19 pandemic. The Awareness session focused, among other things, on the pandemic symptoms and the means of prevention, especially in a prison environment where, due to overpopulation, the risk of contamination is even greater.

On this occasion, the team of MONUSCO HIV / AIDS Section, in collaboration with that of the Mission’s Correction unit, regretted that during this period when the Covid-19 is monopolizing all the efforts and the media space, the fight against another pandemic, HIV / AIDS, is somewhat relegated to the background, while it is still there and continues to destroy lives.

I shall change may way of living; before, we didn't know these things, we were under-informed...

This awareness-raising therefore aimed to remind this vulnerable population that the danger of HIV / AIDS remains present and real, and that it is necessary to guard against it. It was also an opportunity to recall some preventive measures against HIV / AIDS.

 

"We learned a lot, including what to do and what not to do to avoid becoming infected with coronavirus; I shall change may way of living; before, we didn't know these things, we were under-informed; we are very grateful to MONUSCO for thinking about us, "said Georgine Ayté, a 25-year-old pre-trial detainee after the sensitization.

 

One day earlier, on Wednesday June 10, in collaboration with MONUSCO Police, HIV / AIDS Section had participated in a similar awareness campaign at the Congolese National Police precinct in Bunia.

 

The training was intended for 13 policewomen who have been educated on the sexual violence and its consequences, including HIV / AIDS. The points discussed during the session included, among other things, the difference between HIV and AIDS and the means of prevention against the disease.