MP worried about prostitution in the Karas Region

SOME girls at Aussenkehr in the Karas Region are at risk of contracting HIV-AIDS because they engage in prostitution, the Deputy Chairperson of the National Council said yesterday.

Margaret Mensah-Williams said she was very worried about the health of girls there. She said some of them were as young as 14 or 16 but had babies that they expected their mothers to raise.”HIV-AIDS is a real problem in this country,” said Mensah-Williams.She was speaking during debate on a report by the NC Standing Committee on Regional Development, which visited the Karas, Hardap and Omaheke regions earlier this year.Mensah-Williams said although the grape-farming project at Aussenkehr was a good project, many young girls went there to sell their bodies.The Swapo MP said she was also concerned about the danger posed by the long distances children have to walk to school at Aussenkehr.Mensah-Williams said the water provision and medical services at Karasburg also left much to be desired.She also called on United Africa to make sure that there are ablution facilities at all pension pay points, where elderly people have to queue for hours.Debate was adjourned until tomorrow.She said some of them were as young as 14 or 16 but had babies that they expected their mothers to raise.”HIV-AIDS is a real problem in this country,” said Mensah-Williams.She was speaking during debate on a report by the NC Standing Committee on Regional Development, which visited the Karas, Hardap and Omaheke regions earlier this year.Mensah-Williams said although the grape-farming project at Aussenkehr was a good project, many young girls went there to sell their bodies.The Swapo MP said she was also concerned about the danger posed by the long distances children have to walk to school at Aussenkehr.Mensah-Williams said the water provision and medical services at Karasburg also left much to be desired.She also called on United Africa to make sure that there are ablution facilities at all pension pay points, where elderly people have to queue for hours.Debate was adjourned until tomorrow.