Man, 19 August 2009...The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire, on 19 August 2009, organised training session to sensitize prisoners and staff at Man prison on sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV/AIDS.

UNOCI initiated the training to provide prisoners with information, which is now considered the best weapon against STI and HIV/AIDS, said UNOCI's prison affairs in Man, Aliou Sow. "The rights to life and information are part of the basic rights of any individual, including prisoners, " said Mr. Sow.

The trainer, Césaire Tankoua, from UNOCI's HIV/AIDS Unit, explained the causes, symptoms and prevention methods of STI and HIV/AIDS to participants. Mr. Tankoua also told them that the prison environment was a place which exposed one to the risk of contracting HIV. He urged participants to take the necessary precautions. Statistics from recent studies and a film were shown to participants in order to illustrate information on the HIV/AIDS.

The manager of Man prison, Sergeant Frédéric Déa, welcomed UNOCI's initiative and expressed the hope that there would be other sessions like it. "This training is welcomed because it enables us to be better informed on HIV/AIDS and STI", said Mr. Déa. The training also covered moral support for prisoners, who, without such initiatives, feel isolated and neglected.

The training provided an opportunity for UNOCI's Public Information Office to inform prisoners and prison guards on the UN mission's mandate. The initiative is part of joint efforts of UNOCI's Rule of Law and HIV/AIDS sections to fight against the pandemic and contribute to prisoners' well-being.