On 13 December 2017, UNAMID’s Rule of Law and Communications and Public Information Sections, in partnership with the North Darfur Prisons Administration and the State AIDS Programme (SAP) of the Ministry of Health, organized an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign at the New Shallah Women’s Prison in El Fasher, North Darfur. The theme of the event was “Stand up for HIV/AIDSprevention- Your Health, Your Right.”

The event, which was attended by the Director of North Darfur Prisons, Colonel Mutasim Abdulfatah, Ministry of Health and UNAMID representatives, included sensitization sessions on HIV/ADIS, drama and cultural performances as well as voluntary HIV counselling and testing.

Addressing the occasion, UNAMID representative, Musi Khumalo, stated that the workshop will provide women inmates with information on HIV/AIDS and urged all participants to take advantage of the Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCCT) services provided during the event. 

On his part, Colonel Abdulfatah emphasized on the importance of outreach activities on HIV/AIDS for women inmates and thanked UNAMID for the initiative as all participants will benefit from the knowledge given on the disease.

Additionally, Haroun Juma, Coordinator, HIV/AIDS Programme, Ministry of Health, stated that there is a need for health care and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS. He urged all people to take appropriate measures to protect themselves from this disease and noted that there is a marked decrease in numbers of HIV/AIDS cases across North Darfur. 

Captain Musa Aldoma, the Director of New Shallah Women’s Prison commended UNAMID for its continued support, particularly the construction of a medical centre which provides services to women inmates and the families of prison staff.

The awareness campaign fell within the framework of support provided by the Prisons Advisory Unit of the Mission’s Rule of Law Section as well as its Community Outreach Unit to state prisons across Darfur.