5. programmes for prevention of mother-to-child transmission and programmes for women after delivery; 6. barrier methods; 7. prevention of occupational hazards to health workers and others; 8. improve access to information, education and communication at community level; and 9. develop a multi-sectoral national program for awareness of and sensitivity to the negative impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic to people especially members of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. zz. Ensure the protection of the sexual and social rights of women and girls particularly against harmful traditional and cultural practices that predispose them to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and other related infectious diseases. aaa. Prevent infection with HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases, through family life/sex education; access to facilities for detection and treatment, including the elimination of medical, social and cultural barriers to access; training of medical personnel on diagnosis and treatment, education and outreach throughout society, including education on harmful traditional practices that place women at risk, the role of society in supporting HIV positive women and the role of men in the prevention of STDs; creation of well-women clinics offering comprehensive reproductive health service; reduce the stigma of STD clinics; provision of barrier methods of contraception; access to rehabilitative surgery, medical research on particular problems facing the continent, and by promoting delivery in health institutions. bbb. Elaborate a “national policy framework” to guide and support appropriate responses to the needs of children affected by HIV/ AIDS covering social, legal, ethical, medical and human rights issues. An effective response to the needs of AIDS-affected children requires a multidisciplinary, multi-sectoral response effectively coordinated to avoid duplication of effort and encourage the rational use of resources. ccc. Ensure that immediate policy responses should address issues related to food and nutrition, education, nurture of parentless children, medical care for the sick as well as addressing the psychosocial problems resulting from the loss of loved ones and security. States must ensure, through education and information, that communities do not reject or stigmatize children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS but instead play a major role in protecting their rights. ddd. Encourage and develop strong HIV prevention strategies and interventions based on, among other things, appropriate sex education in schools. As a matter of urgency plans must be drawn up to reach out-of-school youth. Furthermore, young people must be given access to reproductive health care and the knowledge and skills to avoid sexual exploitation and unprotected sex. Particular attention should be given to the prevention of transmission of infection by adults to children, through legislation designed to regulate the age of consent and by the introduction of measures to improve the economic status of families. 30