In a concerted effort to combat the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and raise awareness about prevention, treatment, human rights, and related issues, the Judiciary of Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the National AIDS Secretariat (NAS), UNAIDS, AHF, Jhpiego, Christian Aid, and the Network of HIV Positives in Sierra Leone (NETHIPS), successfully concluded a three-day sensitization campaign on October 21, 2023 in Makeni City.
The campaign, which took place from October 19 to October 21, 2023, featured various activities, including a moonlight tour to hotspot areas between 9:00 pm and 12:00 am. The delegation also visited the Rofutha Development Association (RODA) Drop-In-Centers for female sex workers, the NETHIPS center, and the Happy Kids and Adolescent home.
A distinguished team comprising seven Judges of the Superior Court of Judicature and four Magistrates was led by Supreme Court Judge, Honourable Justice Ekundayo Roberts, who also serves as the Director of the Judicial and Legal Training Institute (JLTI).
Director General of the National AIDS Secretariat, Abdul Rahman Sessay, explained that the field visit aimed to provide insights into the challenges faced by key populations and other vulnerable groups in their respective communities, especially the stigma associated with living with HIV-AIDS. This collaborative effort was initiated following a commitment made by Honourable Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards, during his role as a Guest Speaker on World AIDS Day in 2022.
The Director General of NAS emphasized that involving Judicial Officers in these efforts could lead to the establishment of a Special Court or expedite the enforcement of laws to prosecute those who stigmatize persons living with HIV-AIDS. He expressed hope that firsthand experience of the circumstances faced by sex workers and drug users would better inform judicial officers as they handle related cases.
During a presentation, UNAIDS Country Director Isaac Ahemesah revealed that the HIV/AIDS response in Sierra Leone faces challenges related to human rights violations, including stigma and discrimination. He passionately declared, “Our mission is to join the world in ending HIV-AIDS by 2030, and Sierra Leone will not be left behind.”
In a heartfelt appeal, the Regional Coordinator of NETHIPS, Madam Alima Kamara, urged the Judiciary and law enforcement agencies to take strong action against nurses who disclose the identities of individuals living with HIV-AIDS while simultaneously stigmatizing them. The campaign’s success marks a significant step toward promoting awareness, ending stigma, and protecting the rights of those affected by HIV-AIDS in Sierra Leone.
