In order to address the growing mobility needs of HIV/AIDS Health Care Workers in Kenya, UN-HABITAT in conjunction with Rotary Club International, the Netherlands Chapter, and the Tour d'Afrique donated 14 new mountain bicycles to women's health care service providers who are affiliated with the National Council of Women of Kenya. According to UNAIDS reports, women are disproportionately vulnerable to HIV and they account for half of the 40 million people living with HIV or AIDS around the world. The bicycles will facilitate mobility for health workers in a cost effective and environmentally sustainable fashion. A colourful handing-over ceremony took place at the UN compound in Gigiri on 17 March 2004. The Assistant Minister for Gender, Culture and Sports, Ms.Alicent Chelaite handed over the bicycles to the women, saying that they were grateful for the bicycles especially as health care workers would now find it easier to travel to provide services to their communities. Mr. Brian Williams, UN-HABITAT’s Head of the Transport Unit said that sustainable mobility was a crucial requirement for health care workers and that transportation could make or break development projects. Representatives from several districts in Kenya also attended the handing over ceremony from Busia, Bungoma, Kitale, Kisumu, Kikuyu, Nakuru, Marakwet, Meru, Mombasa, Turkana and West Pokot. |
