HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to ravage most of Sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya being no exception. The country has made progress in bringing the rate of new infections down and the prevalence rate is also down. However, the situation is far from this scenario when it comes to the persons with mental disabilities. Due to the misconception that the mentally disabled are unable to understand the sexual act, they are extremely badly sexually abused. There have been cases where one PWMD was regularly raped by as many as 16 people. This person, unknown to the rapists, is HIV positive and hence all the acts of sexual violations would have spread the virus. It is quite common to find such people with mental disabilities carrying two or three different strains of HIV/AIDS virus.
The mild and moderate cases of persons with mental disabilities urgently need the awareness and education for prevention of HIV/AIDS. They are a very special case and special techniques, materials and programmes are needed for them. Kenya Society for the Mentally Handicapped have identified these areas where you can partner with us to prevent the distress of those who can not understand for themselves what is being done to them.
- Developing of special programmes in response to emerging issues among them HIV/AIDS, PRSP, safe motherhood, and sexuality & reproduction health
- Supported Access to HIV/AIDS Services by Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
- Enhanced Access to Free Primary Education by Persons with Intellectual Disabilities in Kenya.
