DECEMBER 2002

Senegal Participates in the International Day to Combat AIDS

Written by Idrissa BA no.1, The Hunger Project Program Administrator

Senegal participated in the International Day to Combat AIDS on 1 December, at a regional event at the village of Ndiaye located 33 km from Saint Louis in northern Senegal. The Governor of the Saint Louis Region, Mr. Mamadou DIA, presided over the ceremony, which was attended by the chief physician for the district, the Association for Family Welfare (ASBEF) Coordinator and his staff of midwives, a representative of the Islam and Population Network, the Islamologist, the village chiefs of Ndiaye and neighbouring villages, and staff of THP-Senegal.

With the theme, "AIDS concerns me…and you?", the event attracted nearly 350 people, primarily women and youth, for some four hours. Women partners from THP epicenters of Mpal, Koul, Sagatta Gueth and Rosso Senegal were among those in attendance.

In welcoming the guests, the Ndiaye Village Chief underscored the major role played by THP-Senegal which he credited for the success of the event. He also expressed his pleasure that his village had been selected to host such an event, and thanked his colleagues from the surrounding villages for having accepted his invitation to attend.

Both the local GPF president and the ASBEF Coordinator spoke of the importance of women’s commitment to fighting AIDS. THP’s AWFFI Coordinator, Ms. Ndéye Penda DIOUF SENE, reminded the audience that "AIDS is 100% preventable," and let everyone know that THP has developed a prevention and education strategy to contribute to the fight against AIDS.

Aboubacar KOUROUMA (center), National Director of THP-Senegal, presented THP’s eight-point strategy for the prevention of HIV/AIDS:

  1. Leadership at the highest political level;
  2. A basic change in gender relations;
  3. Social acceptance of infected individuals;
  4. Breaking the silence and overcoming the taboos to finally speak about HIV/AIDS;
  5. Active involvement of community and religious leaders in prevention activities;
  6. Broad availability of the services;
  7. Health and health care strategies;
  8. Solidarity and partnership at the international level, including mobilizing international resources.

THP National Director preventing statistics on the ravages wrought by AIDS in Africa, and emphasized the need to establish a broad front in order to ensure 100% AIDS prevention.

The Governor of the Saint-Louis Region opening the session, expressing his delight in the partnerships that THP has established in fighting against hunger and poverty as well as fighting the AIDS pandemic.

Panel of Speakers include religious and medical aspects of HIV/AIDS challenge

Mr. Cheikh Tidiane DIALLO, the professional Islamologist, stated that it is important to take heed of the text of the Holy Qur’an and avoid sexual promiscuity which is a potential source of the spread of the disease.

Ms. Soda DIOUF, a registered midwife, comments on issues including:

  1. What is AIDS?
  2. How is the AIDS virus transmitted?
  3. What are the factors encouraging the spread of HIV/AIDS?
  4. What precautions are needed to prevent HIV/AIDS?

Dr. Fulgence NDIAYE, the physician who handles major epidemics for the Saint-Louis Region, focused on the need for education, training and solidarity to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The session, which was well attended by journalists, concluded with lively debate among the audience and the panelists.