Windhoek — A two-day conference on Namibian women leaders against HIV/AIDS started in the capital yesterday with First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba urging all women in leadership positions to be pro-active in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

"You represent a cross-section of Namibian women leaders, if we agree on key issues, we will be able to take them to various levels of society and government," she said.

Members of Parliament, United Nations agencies, prominent businesswomen, community leaders and civil society leaders were among participants at the conference.

The conference intends to mobilise women in leadership and discuss HIV/AIDS and set out tangible actions in contribution to the national response.

A declaration of their commitment is expected at the closure of the conference this afternoon.

Describing HIV/AIDS as a crisis in Namibia, Pohamba said women leaders should review their plans and actions in the national response to the pandemic.

This conference comes in the footsteps of a male conference on HIV/AIDS that discussed issues pertaining to sexual decisions, health communication, knowing one's status, and orphans among others.

The First Lady says women's approach to such issues is different from their male counterparts, as such she urged women leaders at the conference to come up with workable strategies to address HIV/AIDS issues.

The First Lady further said women should spearhead the campaign in fighting HIV/AIDS because of the increased feminisation of the disease.

She stressed that women are more vulnerable to HIV infection than men.

Unfortunately, even when they are not infected, they are heavily affected as they take up the role of caring for the sick and orphans and vulnerable children.

Last year's statistics reveal that one third of the 16000 new infections were among young Namibians. Two-thirds of these cases were young women, an indication that 5200 of the 7000 deaths occurred among young Namibian women.

"This means that an average of 14 young Namibian women got infected each and every day of last year. Chances are that the same is true for 2008," the First Lady said.

Disturbed by the figures, Pohamba called on leaders, mothers and community activists to support and educate the young generation.

"We must train our children in the most effective way of prevention, which is abstinence and when a child is old, he or she will not be a victim of the pandemic," she said.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services estimates HIV cases in Namibia to be at 200000.

Being a National HIV Testing Day today, the First Lady urged women leaders to go for testing and counselling in order to be able to advocate for this in institutions and communities.

She further called for the creation of a women's platform that will monitor the action against HIV/AIDS and future interventions.

"I recommend that we meet again in the course of this year or early next year to take stock of the implementation of our resolutions that will emanate from this historic conference," Pohamba said.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi, expressed disappointment over the fact that Namibian men remain aloof in matters pertaining to HIV/AIDS.

"The observation is that 65 percent of women are receiving care compared to only 35 percent of the male folk. This is worrisome," the minister said.

He also encouraged Namibians to make use of the testing and counselling services, which, he stressed, is purely for free!