Businesses and MPs mobilise against HIV/AIDS

A recent HIV/AIDS workshop conducted by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in the Republic of Congo highlighted the need for business and trade union leaders to put in place strategies to curb the pandemic in the central African country. More than 100 business leaders participated in the workshop in the capital Brazzaville which covered issues such as the impact of the pandemic on the private sector and ethical issues relating to HIV/AIDS in the workplace. UNDP will support a follow-up project on HIV/AIDS in the workplace, and focal points within participating companies will be set to support the initiative. Participants also urged parliamentarians to integrate HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention activities into plans and budgets in all sectors and to ensure protection of the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS. The country's First Lady Antoinette Sassou Nguesso, called the workshop a major step in raising awareness about the disease and said the workplace is "one of the ideal places for campaigning against HIV/AIDS."