Women undermined by gender violence face twice the risk of contracting HIV/ Aids compared to those who aren’t.

Verediana Kiromo the Tunaweza campaign Publicity Officer at the Institute of Social welfare made the announcement saying various research reports show that there is an apparent relationship between women violence and HIV/Aids infections.

Kiromo also condemned the stigmatisation of Aids patients and particularly women. Such acts she noted were among the causes behind the population’s reluctance to reveal their status.

He encouraged the government to enforce rules and regulations against any practice that undermines gender equality. The publicity officer wants an end also of what he called ‘misleading traditional practices’ that support gender discrimination.

Tunaweza campaign Coordinator, Jane Salomo said the campaign which is expected to end in 2013 is targeting to reach over 1.6 million people.

She reminded the community of the major developmental and social effects of gender violence calling for an immediate seizure of any such incidents.