A one-day workshop looks into the raising issue of sex workers in the country.
The Ministry of Women, Youth and Children Affairs in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) conducted the workshop to address the issue on sex workers that is affecting young children.Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ethel Sigimanu said that the workshop will give way for stakeholders to meet and share information and collective strategies and actions to address the issue.
"This initiative is a way forward to achieve common goals and objectives in efforts to address the increase on sex workers in this country," Mrs. Sigimanu said.
Chief Field Officer of UNICEF Pacific SI, Roy Bowen said the meet is timely as the issue is affecting so many people, children in particular.
WHO Country Liaison Officer, Dr. William Adu-Krow emphasized on the need for stakeholders to better understand their responsibility on this issue.
He said that stakeholders need to identify groups to address various issues before it turns into a huge social matter.
"We understand that these sex workers are doing this for survival so we are trying to work on how best to address the issue in a non-judgmental approach," a UNFPA representative, Tim Sladden said.
He said that creating job opportunities is an option that will give these sex workers a good trade for money.
Mr. Sladden added that the health of these sex workers is also of concern "so we want to make them be aware on how best to reduce the risks of transmitted diseases".