The Voice (Francistown)
Zeph Kajevu
4 March 2008
Botswana Police Commissioner Thebeyame Tsimako has urged Batswana men to adopt a new mindset to overcome stigma, by actively participating in HIV/AIDS prevention programs and to use the information highway as a stepping-stone.
Tsimako said that, as a way forward, the male-focused programmes should review their lack of participation and wider involvement in HIV/AIDS preventive activities and infection risk reduction, since they are also the infected or affected members of the community.
Accepting the Chairmanship of NMSC from the Commissioner of Botswana Prison Services (BPS) Herman Kau in Gaborone last week, Tsimako said that the review would assist in identifying some of the key strategies that include new ways of attracting males in sexual reproductive health (SRH) and assessing the HIV/AIDS implications; explaining concepts and mythologies on male involvement; and assessing information, education and communication campaigns to improve National Men Sector Committee (NMSC) programmes.
"One of the challenges that bedevil the Men Sector is their lack of passionate participation in programme design and implementation that has been identified as a major shortcoming. In order to make a positive impact, we believe that efforts to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic must include activities among men. HIV/AIDS prevention and management is a constant challenge for the Men Sector and the nation as a whole."
The success of the HIV/AIDS Men sector committee has the added advantage of the visionary leadership and relentless efforts of President Festus Mogae to fight the scourge from all fronts, saving many lives across the social spectrum in the process. The fact that Mogae has, during his term of office, called for the fight against HIV/AIDS to transcend all social structures, beyond the set up of health, urges men to scale up their input on the HIV/AIDS battlefront. The Police Chief added: "We will remember Mogae as the President who was concerned with the lives of the young and old, encouraging all to strive for an AIDS free generation, even on the verge of his impending retirement."
He pointed out the need to regularly review NMSC programmes "so as to develop concrete strategies to understand and incorporate male perspectives and need, based on the changing environment. It would be amiss if we in the Botswana Police fail to pay tribute to our predecessors who navigated the NMSC when the impact of HIV/AIDS reflected a gloomy picture. We will also continue with the agenda set by our colleagues and brothers-in-arms who have developed vibrant HIV/AIDS programmes for men, accompanied by strong leadership and clearly defined objectives and strategies."
He also recognised the media as a partner in creating awareness programmes propagating HIV/AIDS information to every corner of Botswana. Since the majority of the media is male-dominated, "we count on them to use their influence on their male counterparts to engage in transparent discussions on HIV/AIDS for the benefit of the nation", he said.
The HIV/AIDS NMSC promotes awareness, especially in the creation of Men Sector Sub-Committees that look into implementing prevention and education programmes. Evidence from quarterly reports to the National AIDS Council has shown an increase of male HIV testers, achieved through concerted efforts of the Men Sector and partner organisations across the country.
The tenure of office of Chairmanship is two years. The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) handed over the Chairmanship to BPS after the expiry of their tenure two years ago.
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