Women urged to declare war against HIV, AIDS

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Bloemfontein - Free State MEC for Social Development, Sisi Ntombela, has called on women to make 2010 the year to unite and declare war against HIV and AIDS.

Addressing women at the launch of the provincial Women's Month programme in Bloemfontein on Monday, Ntombela said 2010 can not just be about the World Cup. "Women must have a significant input in the year's history."

She said while scores of lives had been claimed by the virus, one way to stop the tide was to ensure all men and women know their status.

"We need to ensure that all men and women are tested and sex education is received by all. We can't have a legacy of alcohol abuse, increased teenage pregnancy and HIV and AIDS statistics."

Women's Month will culminate in a national event in East London on Monday, where President Jacob Zuma and Minister for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities Noluthando Mayende-Sibiyas are scheduled to attend.