HILLBROW HEALTH

PRECINCT

WOMEN’S HEALTH DAY

30TH August 2008

Saturday 30th August saw the Hugh Solomon Building in Hillbrow filled

with women singing, doing aerobics, having head massages

and learning to relax while attending to the more serious business of looking after their

health

The RHRU-sponsored Women’s Health Day provided local women with a chance to have health checks they may not otherwise be able

to access.

Thandi from POWA opened the day by welcoming the women and engaging them in a rousing “call to arms”.

Sister Didi spoke about the importance of looking after one’s own health and not just that of children and partners. She stressed the importance of knowing one’s HIV status and negotiating condom use with partners; and encouraged everyone to take advantage of the free HIV testing and other health checks available on the day.

Over 100 women, young and old, attended and many took advantage of the free pap smears available as well as HIV tests and CD4 counts. Women also learned

how to examine their breasts and what changes to look out for.

The more energetic took part in an aerobics session led by Mapule from Planet Fitness, and all were able to take away copies of Shape Magazine and Fit Pregnancy, kindly donated by Touchline Media. Art of Living led relaxation sessions and SASSA held a workshop on social grants for women. Head and neck massages were given by a group specially trained for the day by Rachel Rusznyak.

Information on a wide range of topics relating to women’s rights and HIV/AIDS was available from RHRU, CARe, Sonke Gender Justice,

Engender Health/Men As Partners, Sister2Sister, POWA, OUT, Childline and Lovelife

Thanks go to RHRU and Esselen Clinic for providing nurses and equipment and to CARe for providing VCT counsellors. The positive response from the local community demonstrates the need for these services and the interest shown in the Community Care Centre is encouraging in terms of plans for future activities.

….and a hearty lunch was enjoyed by all !