The Zamfara Ministry of Women Affairs, in collaboration with the state Agency on Control of AIDS (SACA), has organised a two-day workshop on skills acquisition for 45 women living with HIV.

Hajia Bilkisu Bungudu, Commissioner for Women Affairs, said on Thursday at the opening of the workshop in Gusau, that it would train the women on how to make a better living.

Bungudu said government was ready to assist people living with HIV and AIDS through trainings for self-reliance, to reduce stigmatisation in the society.

"The workshop focused on how to manufacture body cream, liquid soap and air freshener.

" The 45 participants are from the three senatorial districts in the state, with 15 from each zone.

"I wish to plead with the participants to make use of this opportunity to learn fast, in order to become self-reliant and productive to the society," she said.

Hajiya Asmau Muhammad, Coordinator, People Living with HIV, said that the ministry, with the help of SACA, had promised to give the participants a start- up capital after the training.

"The money will be given to the participants after the training, to enable them to start their own businesses and keep them busy and become self-reliant.

"We always hold our meetings monthly, where we discuss on the way forward. So, any of the participants found not doing anything will be visited personally and persuaded," the coordinator said.