JMPD tackle Aids for Women’s Month

30 August 2015

 

JMPD women officers joined forces with the cast of health TV drama series Soul City and activists of non-governmental organisations such as Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and Love Life to raise awareness of the dangers of HIV-AIDS and drug abuse in Ennerdale on Thursday.

 

The campaign formed part of the female officers’ National Women’s Month programme, which kicked off on August 3 and saw them criss-crossing the length and breadth of Johannesburg handing out food parcels, toys and blankets to several crèches and educating residents about road safety under the theme: “Together We Can Make the Difference to the Less Fortunate.” The campaign was aimed at highlighting the consequences of having unprotected sex and the impact HIV-AIDS has on families.

 

Chairperson of Gauteng region of the TAC, urged parents to speak openly about sex and HIV-AIDS and the risk of “living dangerously”. She said parents are to blame for the high rate of HIV-AIDS infections among the youth as they fail to guide and teach them about the dangers of having unprotected sex.

 

“You should not make the same mistakes our parents made. You should lead the way and know more about your children. You should not wait until your child is pregnant and then start making inquiries.

 

“It does not make sense to only warn your daughter not to sleep with boys without elaborating. She will be more curious about boys and do the opposite. You should sit down with her and explain. Don’t leave any stone unturned,” she said.

 

Tshabalala told the crowd, predominantly learners from the local high school, that she was diagnosed with HIV-AIDS in 2000. She was ignorant about the epidemic and nearly died. 

“I survived because I am a fighter. I did not let the virus control me because I wanted to be in control of my life,” she said.

She survived the disease after taking antiretroviral drugs. She said the youth were the main victims of this epidemic because they were most vulnerable and exposed to drugs and alcohol at an early age.

“You should protect yourselves and know more about HIV-AIDS. You should not be involved in sexual activity without using a condom,” she warned.

 

The JMPD’s Women’s Month’s programme included the mounting of roadblocks and random searches of drivers and passengers. Sergeant Tshidi Nyembe, Cluster Commander of JMPD in Region G, said the campaign had been a huge success.