HIV prevalence rate around Lake Victoria region is expected to decline after the launch of a campaign to control sex for fish.
The Turkish government on Thursday donated 15 fishing boats to women around Lake Victoria in an effort to combat the sex trade among the fisher folk.
Ten boats were given to women in Homa Bay county, while five were given to women in Kisumu.
Speaking at Rambira Beach in Karachuonyo constituency, Turkish Ambassador Deniz Eke said the boats will be used by women to get their own fish.
Eke said Turkish government is committed to ensuring that Kenya has a responsible future generation.
“We want to eradicate this culture of ‘sex for fish’ so that our women can have the dignity they deserve in the society. Women are the backbone of the society in the whole world hence protecting them is protecting our future,” she said.
Homa Bay Governor Cyparian Awiti said he is worried over the trend of exchanging fish with sex, as it has led to the spread of HIV in the area.
“Homa Bay is the leading HIV prevalence in the country with 25.7 per cent. Time has come when we have to eradicate this culture so that we have a healthy society,” he said.
Awiti said the boats will enable women to be self reliant so that men no longer use them as sex objects.
Karachuonyo MP James Rege promised to provide the women in each of the boats with a phone to enhance their security.
“Security is a concern in the lake hence the phones will enable our women to seek services during emergencies and for business communication. We’ll also construct shades where they will be
conducting business,” he said.
