Chairman of the National HIV/AIDS Commission and Chief Nursing Officer, Dr. Wendy Sealy getting her hair done at the barbershop.
Peer Educator, Decourcey Hutson speaking to members of the public about how to use condoms correctly.
The National HIV/AIDS Commission’s Man Aware event has been “very effective” in raising the public’s awareness of the HIV/AIDS message.
Public Relations Officer with the National HIV/AIDS Commission, Fabian Todd further told The Barbados Advocate that since the initial event at Pirates Cove, Bay Street “it has grown”.
“We find that we have a lot of repeat visitors; people who have come to the previous ones – they return again [and] they bring friends. So we are finding, it is a steady build and every time we put it on, we try to bring a new element all of the time to attract even more individuals.”
He spoke on the side-lines of Friday’s “Man Aware” in Jubilee Gardens, The City. This event “is an attempt to bring together men in Barbados in an informal setting to tell them more about HIV/AIDS and also to test their knowledge of HIV/AIDS.” In addition to the opportunity to have a free hair cut in the barber shop, there was a condom corner, a games booth and live DJ music throughout the evening.
Todd emphasised why there is a need for such an event. He stated, “in any society there are some who will have information readily available to them; they know it, but still they don’t grasp it – they don’t follow it! In putting on things like this, we hope to keep hammering it home for the few who might stray away from the message.”
He added, “even though we might be seeing good figures in terms of people taking heed of the message, it does not mean we should rest on our laurels, it does not mean ‘yes, it is working, let’s stop!’ No! We continue this fight – it is never over!” (MG)