Lewis hails NCWH

Addis Ababa, May 20(ENA)-- Un Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS, Stephen Lewis says it is encouraging to see HIV/AIDS intervention activities in Ethiopia by the National Coalition for Women against HIV/AIDS (NCWH).

At a meeting held between the Special Envoy and executives of the NCWH here on Thursday, Lewis said the Coalition is the first of its kind in Africa.

The Coalition should be exemplary to other countries, he said.

The Coalition launched on June 18,2003 comprises women leaders at Ministerial level, parliamentarians, other prominent women and women leaders throughout the 9 regions and 2 administrative councils in Ethiopia, says Gifti Abasiya, NCWH chairperson. Gifti is head of the Women Affairs section at the Prime Minister's Office.

"The Coalition will promote gender equality, economic and political empowerment of women to reduce vulnerability of women and girls to HIV/AIDS," Gifti said.

"This will bring a change in attitudes and behaviour towards girls and women by addressing the related causes of the epidemic, namely gender and poverty, going beyond modifying peoples behaviour process in to changing attitudes and creating commitment, a commitment that is born within the individual and shared among the society," she said.

The Coalitions is capable of reaching out to and mobilizing the grassroots and women's associations as well as community-based organizations.

Netsanet Asfaw, State Minister of Information who is member of the Coalition's executive, on her part said the media were doing significant educative activities on HIV/AIDS.

She said women circumcision in the country has been reduced now by 12 percent owing to relentless efforts carried out among the pastoralist communities.

Genet Zewdie Minister of Education and member of the Coalition's Executive, demonstrated the women movements in the country and the process of change.

Asmaru Berihun, a parliamentarian and member of the coalition on the occasion said the gender issue has received a special place in the parliament.

Stephen Lewis was accompanied to the meeting by Bumni Makinwa UNAIDS country coordinator and Focal Point for African Regional Organizations as well as Nileema Noble, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative.