 |
| Saudi Arabia: Leadership for Limiting Risky Behaviors Among Youths |
|
|
|
|
The workshop where almost hundred representatives from the different governmental sectors in the Saudi Kingdom sought to refine skills of those sent to convey the message of awareness with AIDS and risky behaviors resulting in infection with its virus to their work places and all community sectors. Excellent Response On means of nominating and selecting participants in the workshop, Association Head Dr. Sanaa Flimpan stated to our website, saying "The Association addressed all governmental authorities in order to nominate representatives to attend proceedings of the workshop. The response was excellent, where representatives from the Ministry of Health, Centers of youth care, drug combating and education as well as men of religion participated, in addition to a number of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHIV) and others from more vulnerable groups." Flimpan clarified that the objectives of the workshop go in three parallel lines, the first relates to PLWHIV and their training on means of dealing with the disease and avoiding its communication to others, the second and third relate to non-patients and means of avoiding risky behavior that may result in their infection, in addition to training community leaderships on means of contributing to accepting AIDS patients and including them in society. On the mechanism of work to be followed within the coming period with the purpose of effectuating results of the workshop works, Flimpan said that there are three axes for achieving this, including holding a number of meetings with the seniors of these authorities with the objective of coordination and follow up. Awareness Campaigns Flimpan added that it has been agreed to conduct a number of awareness campaigns in schools, youth care centers and others on the sidelines of football matches. Furthermore, it had been agreed that the Association be in charge of providing writers and media professionals with information and necessary materials required on AIDS. Status of ADS Spread HARPAS Regional Advisor Dr. Khadija Moalla briefed attendants on the status of the virus spread in our Arab Region. She further introduced the programme initiatives for limiting its spread, most significantly is the initiative of religious and media leaderships and Arab Legislators as well as the civil society to raise awareness with the disease and support rights of PLWHIV. Moalla further spoke about the developmental approach and response to AIDS as a community issue in the Arab Region.
The Status of AIDS in Saudi Arabia On her part, Sanaa Flimpan tackled the status of AIDS in the Saudi community, clarifying that the idea of the course is made for the first time through explanation and definition, so that participants carry the message of the Association regarding awareness with wrong behaviors relating to AIDS disease. Participants shall then convey the message to their different sectors and families, which contributes to the success of the Association in disseminating its message among the largest number of community individuals. Flimpan went on saying that the Association was keen on targeting the largest possible number of governmental and private sectors, so that they would be able to contribute to effectuating the level of response with this issue, thus, becoming similar to representatives of the Association, carrying its message and conveying it with awareness and recognizing. The workshop had witnessed a number of real testimonies of PLWHIV, where they shed light on community challenges they face as a result of the spread of stigmatization and discrimination culture and the difficulty of accessing information that they need to better face their health circumstances. Targeted Groups On the other hand, Saudi writer Abdallah Al-Kaeed stressed on the effectiveness of means of communication in conveying required messages to targeted groups and he requested the design of awareness programmes that are attractive and technically studied, so that it reaches targeted groups and impact them, otherwise, this will be a waste of time, money and effort.
The Rights of PLWHIV Among its sessions, the workshop tackled rights of PLWHIV and means of their acceptance by community. Besides, positive examples have been presented on Islamic dealing with AIDS infection, concepts of conversations and styles of dialoguing, compassion and listening as the main tools for changing behavior. On the last day, sessions discussed challenges faced by women living with the AIDS virus in the Arab States, potentials of preventive interventions based on evidences, social responsibility and roles of PLWHIV and workers in the field of health regarding this. Also, available opportunities and the future work plan for combating the AIDS virus in Saudi Arabia have been discussed as well as means of determining steps and galvanizing people into action to effectuate commitments. See also: |
Jeddah – 17 June 2010: For three consecutive days from 14 to 16 June 2010, the Charity Association for AIDS Patients in Saudi Arabia organized, in cooperation with the HIV/AIDS Regional Programme in the Arab States (HARPAS), a training workshop under the title of "Leadership for Limiting Risky Behaviors among Youths".
The workshop tackled a number of presentations on scientific and epidemic facts regarding the AIDS virus as well as wrong concepts regarding it. This was presented by HARPAS Senior Advisor Dr. Ihab El-Kharat.
Experts of HARPAS tackled the relationship between the virus and risky behaviors with explanation and training within the analytical framework of "Wilbur" as well as its psychological and social impacts, the stigmatization and fear associated with the disease.