THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA’S COMBINED REPORT ON THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN & PEOPLES’ RIGHTS & INITIAL REPORT ON THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA Furthermore, Government has engaged in continuous public sensitization of opinion leaders, youth groups, teachers and traditional healers on Home Management of Malaria (HMM), and sensitization of National Assembly Members on malaria control and prevention in The Gambia. HIV/AIDS The HIV prevalence rate in The Gambia as per the GDHS conducted in 2013 is 1.9 percent. The prevalence rate amongst women is higher with is 2.1 percent where as it is 1.9 percent among men. It has also been that the prevalence rate is higher amongst women and men aged 35-39 with a prevalence rate of 5.9 percent. In a bid to reduce the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the Government of The Gambia adopted a National HIV and Aids Policy entitled “policies and Guidelines on HIV and AIDs, which was followed by the development of a National Strategic Plan focusing on prevention through education. The Revision of the document was made through wide consultations with various stakeholders led to the development of the 2014-2020 HIV and AIDs policy. The main purpose of the 2014-2020 policy document remains the same in addition to providing universal access to high standards of prevention, treatment, care and support services to affected persons in a conducive environment. Additionally, the Government has engaged in a number of sensitization drives to promote abstinence, condom use and advocate for spouses to be faithful in marriage. Sensitization is also conducted to advocate for sexual behavior change and for a reduction in the number of sexual partners. The GDHS shows the percentages of women and men who demonstrated knowledge of several specific ways to avoid AIDS in response to prompted questions. Overall, the use of condoms as a way of avoiding HIV infection is more widely recognized by men than by women (78 percent compared with 71 percent), while limiting sexual intercourse to one uninfected sexual partner is equally recognized by about 86 percent of men and women alike. Government is however raising awareness for women in this regard. More than two-thirds are aware that using condoms and limiting sex to one uninfected partner reduces the risk of contracting AIDS. As one would expect respondents residing in urban areas and those with higher educational achievement have more knowledge of ways to prevent getting HIV. 69