Forty-six persons representing organizations and community leaders in the campaign against HIV/AIDS yesterday commenced a three-day leadership and advocacy training to strengthen their abilities in advocating for the protection of the rights of people living with AIDS in the country.

The three-day exercise taking place in Sinkor, Monrovia, is training participants on advocacy, leadership and the promotion of the Code of Good practice of NGOs fighting against AIDS.

It is being held under the auspices of the African Council of AIDS Services Organization (AFRICASO) hosted by the Liberian Network of AIDS Services Organization (LINASO).

LINASO is an offspring of WANASO (the West African Network of AIDS Services Organization) borne out of AFRICASO.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Senior Programs Manager of AFRICASO, Innocent Laison, one of the key facilitators, said despite the substantial pronounced fight against HIV/AIDS, much success is yet to be realized, especially in Africa, as a result of stigmatization and the inappropriate governance of organizations in the fight against the pandemic.

According to him, AIDS is no longer infesting people, but people were instead infecting themselves as a result of stigmatization and discrimination against people living with AIDS.

He said people living with AIDS have all rights as any other human being and must not be discriminated against in the communities they live and at work places, calling for equal opportunities to be provided them.

On his second point, the AFRICASO executive said resource management, mobilization and governance remains a serous challenge for many NGOs and civil society organization in the fight against AIDS.

He said the intent of the training was to sharpen the skills of Liberian community and NGOs leaders in advocacy, leadership and the promotion of the Code of Good practice of NGOs fighting against AIDS.

Also speaking, AFRICASO Program Manager Aminata Kane Balde said they were pleased to be in Liberian to provide the training for Liberians NGOs in the fight against AIDS.

She said this will bolster their activities and advocacy for the rights of people living with AIDS.

Mr. David Z. Logan, Program Manager for Global Fund at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, welcomed the initiative, but stressed the need for transparency and accountability among NGOs.

He said though the Global Fund supports initiatives of NGO campaigning against HIV/AIDS, organizations receiving fund for such purposes must be organized with sound leadership structures and reporting mechanisms.

LINASO National Coordinator Mrs. Agnes F. Kortimai, in an interview with the Informer, described the training workshop as being "timely".

"The people of Liberian are recovering from war to peace and sustainable development; therefore, those living with AIDS must also live in peace and harmony," she stated.

"No matter what, they have the rights to live anywhere and work anywhere....They must not be discriminated against because stigmatization will cause the virus to spread more," she asserted.

Mrs. Kortimai said she was very pleased that officials of AFRICASO were in the country to empower Liberian NGOs and community leaders in advocacy, leadership and the promotion of the Code of Good practice of NGOs fighting against AIDS.

The 46 participants are gathered from several parts of the country including Montserrado, Lofa, Bomi and Bong Counties, among others.