Group of Women in Cameroon Pledges To Fight HIV/AIDS, Address Other Issues at Workshop

A group of women at a recent workshop organized by the Cameroon Grassroots Women Educational, Economic and Social Advancement network resolved to address issues such as HIV/AIDS, reproductive and family health, and other women's rights issues, Cameroon's The Post reports. According to the Post, the approximately 60 women who attended the workshop also called for an end to rape and all forms of sexual exploitation, as well as trafficking of women and children.

Veronica Kini, CAGWEESA coordinator, told women to empower themselves and said that the organization gives voice and visibility to marginalized women. Kini said the goal of the workshop was to enhance women's ability to deal with issues related to HIV/AIDS, as well as to empower them economically to fight poverty and improve food security for themselves and their children.

The workshop also discussed how certain traditional practices help to spread HIV/AIDS. Meeting participant John Morfaw identified widow inheritance and other funeral customs as practices that transmit HIV. The women also were taught how to provide HIV/AIDS care (Manyong, The Post, 7/14).