Private sector and Civil Society Organisations convened recently to review progress on implementation of HIV and AIDS interventions following training on HIV and AIDS competency organized by the National AIDS Commission. The participants were expected to present their progress to date on activities done following the training, the lessons learnt, challenges and how they overcome the challenges faced.

Among its responsibilities as a coordinating body in the HIV and AIDS response, the National AIDS Commission is responsible for coordinating and providing technical support to building capacity in the Private Sector and Civil Society Organisations to ensure the effective implementation of the national response. The Commission thus engaged a consultant to provide training services to the Private Sector and Civil Society Organisations. The consultant was mandated to carry out a rapid Needs Assessment within the Private Sector and CSO’s to inform the process of HIV and AIDS capacity building.

Among the organizations represented were Lesotho Youth Federation, Lesotho Sports and Recreation Commission, Lesotho Inter Religious Consortium and Maseru Regional Transport Organisation. During presentations and discussions, it emerged that there are many role players in delivering prevention interventions for youth through life skills therefore there was need to harmonize these initiatives

A concern was also raised that people with disabilities are taken advantage and such cases should be reported. It was further emphasized that the community has to be educated on the protection of people with disabilities. Concerning teachers who have relationships with their students, a suggestion was made that they should be stripped off their teaching certificates.

The transport sector was seen as a very key sector fueled HIV transmission and therefore HIV and AIDS interventions had to be strengthened in this sector. It was reported that school girls and factory workers were vulnerable to the taxi operators due to financial problems which are eminent in the country.

Another pertinent issue that was raised was the obvious lack of condoms in the country and measures had to be taken to mitigate this shortage of condoms it compromised prevention strategies. The participants learned that there are incidents whereby sports coaches rape young girls during sports clinics and camping periods. This unfortunate practice indicated that serious measures had to be taken against such people and trainings had to be strengthened for all sport coaches.

The workshop was closed on the note that participants should form a network in order to enhance each other towards an effective national response. There was also need for more regular similar workshops to strengthen efforts and share experiences.