OSCE Centre supports courses to train trainers on dangers of HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, domestic violence in Turkmenistan

ASHGABAT, 11 August 2009 - An OSCE Centre-supported course to teach young people to educate their peers about the dangers of HIV/AIDS and drugs as well as domestic violence started today in the Mary region. 

The 'training of trainers' course aims to prepare peer educators, ranging in age from 13 to 16, to lead basic sessions and discussions among their peers on HIV/AIDS, drug abuse prevention and domestic violence while promoting solidarity in addressing and preventing such issues. Similar courses will be held in Dashoguz, Turkmenbashi and Turkmenabat throughout August.

"These courses are an excellent forum for youth to increase their knowledge and understanding about serious issues that may affect their life such as HIV/AIDS, drug abuse or domestic violence. I am confident that these seminars will help the new Turkmenistan generation to play an important prevention role," said Ambassador Arsim Zerkolli, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

The three-day courses are organized by the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan with the support of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. A total of 60 peer educators will be trained through the project.

The courses follow the first phase of training for the peer educators which was held in July. This year, for the first time, the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan has included the topic of domestic violence in the training curriculum.