Truckers resent HIV stigma
The truck drivers' union Solidarity has urged reporters, researchers and advocacy groups to stop blaming truck drivers for spreading HIV.
Solidarity leader Joseph Garoeb said truck drivers could no longer stand being blamed for the HIV/Aids burden, adding that their families were torn apart because of the stigma.
“When people say it is the truck drivers who bring Aids into the country our wives and children look at us and wonder if we are included. In fact, some members complain that their wives insist on using condoms because of these media reports,” he said.
According to him, some of the 500 truck drivers in the union are now scared of “sticking out their necks” in public.
Ismael Nanub, who has been driving trucks for nearly 38 years, said he could not even share a cup of tea or a soft drink with his children because of the perception created by such reports.
“Our children are bullied at school and told, 'your father is sick, don't play with us, you will make us sick'. Our wives want condoms even if we say let's go for a test, they still do not trust us,” Nanub said.
Erastus Witbeen, a trucker for more than 27 years, said the government must test the ministers who go on official missions to other countries.
“We also know some ministers are carrying the disease and they are involved with people. Why are they not put in the spotlight like truck drivers?” Witbeen asked.
Another unionist, Reinhardt Ochs, said it appeared that truck drivers were profiled and scapegoated by Aids activists.
“Why can they not link the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) to this? We know before UNTAG our people drove trucks and there was no Aids, but now, after UNTAG Aids is spreading. Why are the police officers sent on peacekeeping missions for months not questioned or studied? Is the truck driver sector the only easy target?” Ochs asked.
Ochs also called upon activists who have accused truck drivers of keeping young girls as sex slaves to come forward with the evidence.
“Let them come and tell us which man took which girl to which place. They cannot just make such blanket statements. At the end of the day our children suspect us, even our wives begin to wonder if they are living with paedophiles. This is absolutely unfair,” he said.
Organisations, both regionally and locally, have worked towards improving the challenges faced by truck drivers, in particular at truck stops which generally abound with sex workers.
As far back as 2014, the Walvis Bay Corridor Group had opened a clinic for truck drivers. Johnny Smith, the group's chief at the time, said the group “aims to address the health needs of transport operators who are at risk of contracting HIV. The wellness centre is strategically located to cater for the needs of the truck drivers who hardly get time to check their health status. It will also cater for Angolans who cross into Namibia.”
A study by the Journal of Infection and Public Health highlighted the need for ongoing HIV information and prevention campaigns that focus on the special needs of mobile workers in the sub-region and added that not enough support was provided by private transport contractors for their staff.
JEMIMA BEUKES
Solidarity leader Joseph Garoeb said truck drivers could no longer stand being blamed for the HIV/Aids burden, adding that their families were torn apart because of the stigma.
“When people say it is the truck drivers who bring Aids into the country our wives and children look at us and wonder if we are included. In fact, some members complain that their wives insist on using condoms because of these media reports,” he said.
According to him, some of the 500 truck drivers in the union are now scared of “sticking out their necks” in public.
Ismael Nanub, who has been driving trucks for nearly 38 years, said he could not even share a cup of tea or a soft drink with his children because of the perception created by such reports.
“Our children are bullied at school and told, 'your father is sick, don't play with us, you will make us sick'. Our wives want condoms even if we say let's go for a test, they still do not trust us,” Nanub said.
Erastus Witbeen, a trucker for more than 27 years, said the government must test the ministers who go on official missions to other countries.
“We also know some ministers are carrying the disease and they are involved with people. Why are they not put in the spotlight like truck drivers?” Witbeen asked.
Another unionist, Reinhardt Ochs, said it appeared that truck drivers were profiled and scapegoated by Aids activists.
“Why can they not link the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) to this? We know before UNTAG our people drove trucks and there was no Aids, but now, after UNTAG Aids is spreading. Why are the police officers sent on peacekeeping missions for months not questioned or studied? Is the truck driver sector the only easy target?” Ochs asked.
Ochs also called upon activists who have accused truck drivers of keeping young girls as sex slaves to come forward with the evidence.
“Let them come and tell us which man took which girl to which place. They cannot just make such blanket statements. At the end of the day our children suspect us, even our wives begin to wonder if they are living with paedophiles. This is absolutely unfair,” he said.
Organisations, both regionally and locally, have worked towards improving the challenges faced by truck drivers, in particular at truck stops which generally abound with sex workers.
As far back as 2014, the Walvis Bay Corridor Group had opened a clinic for truck drivers. Johnny Smith, the group's chief at the time, said the group “aims to address the health needs of transport operators who are at risk of contracting HIV. The wellness centre is strategically located to cater for the needs of the truck drivers who hardly get time to check their health status. It will also cater for Angolans who cross into Namibia.”
A study by the Journal of Infection and Public Health highlighted the need for ongoing HIV information and prevention campaigns that focus on the special needs of mobile workers in the sub-region and added that not enough support was provided by private transport contractors for their staff.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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