September 16, 2008

Sex-for-Fish Trade Fuels Spread of HIV in Kenya

A new generation of young Kenyans is being exposed to HIV in fishing communities, where young women offer their bodies to fishermen and middlemen in exchange for fish to sell, IRIN/PlusNews reports.

According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, HIV prevalence in the sub-Saharan African country’s fishing communities reached 30.5 percent in 2006. Local health officials and non-governmental organizations are working to reverse this trend through programs targeting young girls in Kenya’s sex-for-fish trade.

“We have lost many of our people to HIV, and it is sad to see many of us engage in such risky behaviors,” said Sabina Ahieng, a fish trader and an official with the Dunga Fishermen and Women Association. “It is true that these things happen—we are now partnering with other like-minded organizations to create awareness.”

According to the article, the group is working with another local NGO, OSIENALA (Friends of Lake Victoria) and Radio Nam Lolwe (Radio Lake Victoria), a local broadcaster, to create HIV/AIDS awareness media messaging that specifically addresses sex-for-fish practices. A U.K.-based medical relief group, Merlin, is working with beach communities in Kenya to raise awareness through music, dance and drama competitions.  

Search: Kenya, fishing, Food and Agriculture Organization, Dunga Fishermen and Women Association, OSIENALA, Radio Nam Lolwe, Merlin

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