In an effort to boost the understanding of people living with or most at risk of contracting HIV on human rights and laws affecting them in Nigeria, the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has organised a two-day workshop in Abuja.
The workshop is also aimed at teaching people living or at risk of contracting HIV how to directly access free legal services across the country.
Speaking while declaring the workshop open in Abuja, the UNAIDS Coordinator in Nigeria, Balila Camara, said his agency is determined to contribute its quota in ensuring that HIV becomes a thing of the past in Nigeria in the nearest future.
He stressed that: “UNAIDS is adhering to the principles of a human rights-based approach to ending the AIDS epidemic. People can only access services when their rights are upheld and dignity respected.”
On his part, President of Lawyers Alert, Rommy Mom, in his address disclosed that the workshop will stimulate trust and confidence between lawyers and people living or at risk of contracting HIV which according to him, will lead to improved services and access to justice.
“This gathering is important as it brings lawyers offering free legal services in direct contact with people left behind, which is the community they serve.
“At the end of the meeting, trust and confidence built between the two constituencies will lead to improved services and access to justice for people left behind,” he stressed.
The workshop was put together in partnership with Lawyers Alert, Heartland Alliance, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and the National Human Rights Commission.