Glenda Samuels (left) of the Optimist Club of Kensington gives a man a flyer that has information on HIV/AIDS during a 'Race gainst AIDS' awareness march and motorcade put on by Optimist Clubs in Zone Six, recently.

Ainsley Reid, a man living with the HIV virus for the past 15 years, notes that women are the most vulnerable to the HIV virus.

Mr. Reid explained that the physical make up of a woman's genitals causes her to be at a greater risk of contraction than a man. He added that: "Many woman are not able to command or demand that their spouses use a condom during sexual intercourse. For this reason, women are vulnerable."

Reid was speaking at an HIV/AIDS awareness symposium put on by Optimist Clubs in Zone six, at the Portmore Mall.

Regardless of the physical and emotional strain the HIV virus causes, Mr. Reid, who for the past two years has been promoting healthy sexual behaviour through the umbrella of the Ministry of Health, feels that persons that are HIV positive can live a normal life. "With care and support, people can live a normal life," Reid said.

He notes that there are 25,000 persons living with the HIV virus in Jamaica, and an alarming 15,000 don't know that they are infected.

L.T. Governor Everton Williamson of the Optimist Club of Eltham said that a main reason for the day's activities is "to send a message to people so that they can help to eradicate the stigma and discrimination that people have against people living with HIV/AIDS."

"We are promoting safe sex, people need to use a condom everytime," Williamson declared.

Optimists assembled at the Shell gas station in Independence City from about 10 a.m. before walking a three kilometre stretch to the Portmore Mall.

While on their way, they handed out flyers and condoms and encouraged persons to practice safe sex.