Limerick Post 11 July, 2009
Asylum seekers and refugees who are living in Limerick have graduated from an empowerment course on sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Presided over by Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, the event took place at the Pery Hotel, and 17 participants received their certificates of attendance at the ten week course.
The programme entitled Majira, meaning "family planning" in Swahili, was undertaken by the Irish Family Planning Association, with input from AkiDwA, the national network of African and migrant women living in Ireland.
Based on improving the sexual and reproductive health of asylum seekers and refugees, the programme gives participants the opportunity to discuss issues such as STIs, HIV/AIDS, sexual health, FGM, domestic violence, safe-sex negotiation and women's health services.
Deputy Jan O'Sullivan said sexual and reproductive health was "an important issue for all women", and encouraged the participants to "pass on the knowledge gained during the course to other women".