The level of stigmatisation against Persons Living With HIV (PLWHIV) has drastically reduced in Oyo State compared with the situation in other states of the federation.
The government which made this known at the weekend said that its adequate sensitisation and enlightenment programmes on HIV/AIDS were responsible for the feat, saying that the people of Oyo State were more informed about HIV/AIDS and the need not to stigmatize persons living with HIV (PLWHIV).
The Executive Secretary, Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OYSACA), Mr. Obatunde Oladapo, made this disclosure at the weekend during a courtesy call by the management of OYSACA to the office of the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community Development, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation at the state secretariat, Ibadan.
Mr. Obatunde stated that OYSACA would revolutionise resource mobilisation and collaborate with stakeholders to develop a work plan and rapid response mechanism to be able to respond more promptly and effectively to people living with HIV and survivors of abuse on medical, legal, emotional and psycho-social grounds.
He advocated for the economic empowerment for women living with HIV, saying that the highest percentage of people living with HIV are women.
Mr. Obatunde called for the collaborative effort of the Ministry of Women Affairs to address violence and abuse against vulnerable groups in the state such as women, children, adolescents and orphans.
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In her response, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community Development, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Atinuke Osunkoya, commended the management of OYSACA for a new improved agency.
Mrs. Osunkoya explained that protecting the rights of vulnerable people and less-privileged in the state is a major concern of the ministry, stressing: “We are passionate about the welfare of women and children in the state. Together, we can truly reduce the scourge of violence against vulnerable children and women in the state and the country at large.”
