Some thirty journalists, mainly from the print media were on Saturday July 18th, sensitized on HIV/AIDS and Gender by the Gambia Network of AIDS Support Societies (GAMNASS).

The sensitization, which was conducted at the GAMNASS head office in Churchill's Town, is part of the organization's quest to provide the wider community with adequate and updated information regarding HIV/AIDS and gender-related issues. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Fatouma Gaye the president of GAMNASS said her organization was born after the various AIDS support societies in The Gambia became conscious of the need to come together under one umbrella to better coordinate their activities and provide the leadership and guidance for their effective participation in the national response to HIV/AIDS.

"The overriding principle is to facilitate an effective networking system between all the support societies in the country and establish a good relationship with the national and global AIDS partner organizations, to more effectively address the needs of the people living with HIV/AIDS by uniting and speaking with one voice," she said.

The GAMNASS president went on to indicate that stigma and discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS in The Gambia goes hand in hand with poverty. She said stigma makes people reluctant to speak openly about HIV/AIDS, or to disclose their status and in turn contributes to the lack of understanding and lack of positive dialogue on how to approach the problem. "This circle of poverty, stigma and lack of understanding can be broken through efforts of AIDS support societies in the country.

When AIDS support societies are trained on proper counseling, members have unique perspectives which will allow them to more effectively teach and sensitize others within the community," she added. The sensitization gave journalists the opportunity to access basic information on HIV/AIDS, gender and violence against women.