MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Today I was pleased to visit the YWCA Sex Workers Education Program. The YWCA
Sex Workers Education Program is an initiative supported by the Australian
Government's aid program that trains sex workers in how to educate their peers
in HIV/AIDS prevention. The program also oversees the distribution of condoms,
provides training to help sex workers find alternative employment and runs
special self-help groups and outreach activities run for younger sex
workers.
The project workers I met today are targeting one of the key high-risk groups
in PNG, as an estimated one in six commercial sex workers is HIV positive. The
rapidly increasing rates of infection are of major concern in PNG. According to
a world leading demographer, Professor Jack Caldwell, ten percent of Papua New
Guinea's adult population could be HIV positive in a dozen years, if the
increase in the current infection rate continues.
The YWCA program is just one of many community projects funded under the
National HIV/AIDS Support Project which I announced at the 12th
Australia-PNG Ministerial Forum in March this year. Australians heard first-hand
about these community responses to HIV/AIDS in PNG from Patron of the Friends
Foundation, Lady Morauta, when she spoke at a recent seminar I hosted in
Canberra.
Through the National HIV/AIDS Support Project, Australia is providing $60
million over five years to support the Government of PNG's National Plan for HIV
prevention and care. This comprehensive plan is raising awareness through
education and information; improving counselling, community care and support;
keeping track of the spread of HIV/AIDS; improving clinical services and medical
care; addressing policy, legal and ethical issues and supporting the National
AIDS Council Secretariat.
Australia's support for the Government of PNG's fight against the epidemic is
part of Australia's global commitment to HIV/AIDS programs to which I committed
$200 million in July.
Media contacts:
Matt Francis (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500 / 0419 206 890
Greg Clough (AusAID) 02 6206 4220 / 0417 683 126