Right to Care, a healthcare organisation established in 2001, is encouraging women to prioritise sexual health in August as part of its commemoration of Women’s Month.
The clarion call is informed by the United States Agency for International Development’s (Usaid) report that every week 3 100 women, aged 15 to 24 years, in the sub-Saharan Africa region become infected with HIV.
“Women bear the brunt of the continuing spread of HIV. They need to be empowered with accurate information about sexual and reproductive health and their rights so they can make informed decisions about family planning and HIV prevention,” said Dr Seithati Molefi, deputy chief at Right to Care.
“We need to engage men more effectively so they play their part in women’s sexual health and safety. Women benefit when their partner is circumcised – HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates are lower in circumcised men and their partners.”
She said the call aided the organisation’s wish for the public to visit their nearest health facility and opt for early HIV testing and detection.
“We help patients keep their appointments and follow up when they do not arrive. Medicine pick-up points make medicine collection quick and support medicine adherence.”
