9 April, 2007 — Belarus starts implementing a UNDP new project aimed to strengthen prevention of HIV, AIDS and STIs among road–based commercial sex workers, long–haul truck drivers and traffic police officers.

The project will increase awareness of safe sex practices among women selling sex on roads and their clients by means of targeted prevention interventions.

The proportion of sexually transmitted HIV cases in Belarushas been rising on a continual basis: from 49.7% in 2004 to 57.2% in 2005 and 60.5% in 2006. As suggested by the high prevalence of STIs, high–risk sexual behaviour is fairly widespread. As estimated by experts in HIV/AIDS, NGO activists and employees of the Ministry of Interior, the number of women involved in commercial sex work has been on a rise in Belarus. The main reasons of the increase include women’s adverse economic conditions and lack of information about opportunities of employment and social adaptation.

“Protection and promotion of rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, especially such at–risk groups as women sex workers is among UNDP priorities,” notes Alina Ostling, UNDP Programme Officer. “The new project is very timely, for it is aimed at removing the barriers which contribute to increasing vulnerability of women sex workers, namely limited access to information and prevention means as well as hazardous way of life.”

The project activities will be carried out among commercial sex workers in the Minskregion and in the city of Svetlogorsk(Gomelregion). The resources of another UNDP project “Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS in the Republicof Belarus” will be used as well, including psychological counselling, provision of condoms and anonymous medical services.

Sociological surveys to be conducted at the beginning and at the end of the project will help establish behavioural profiles of the target groups, monitor the impact and the results achieved by the main participants of the project. The work on changing the hazardous sexual behaviour to a safer and more responsible one will be done through implementation of information–educational projects in partnership with national FM–stations.

The national NGO “Belarus Association of UNESCO Clubs” (BELAU) will act as the implementing agency. The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Transport and Communications will be actively involved in the project implementation as well.

For additional information please refer to “Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS in the Republicof Belarus” Project Manager, Elena Rodionova, at 237–48–57, or UNDP Communications Associate, Vladislav Khilkevich, at 227–38–17, e–mail: .

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