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South Africa's National Defence Force (SANDF) has launched a programme to educate the military on HIV/AIDS prevention, the local news service BuaNews reported on Tuesday.
"The Gender Equity Programme will address critical issues that reinforce behaviour such as violence, alcohol and substance abuse, and unsafe sex practices," SANDF chief, General Siphiwe Nyanda, said in a statement.
Nyanda said the programme's main objective was to create a cadre of trainers [social work officers] within the defence force.
"Some 1,000 peer educators will be trained to effectively promote awareness strategies, HIV/AIDS prevention and gender equity within the entire military community and their partners," Nyanda added.
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