The largest peacekeeping operation in the world is about to become the first army to be enlisted in the war against HIV/AIDS.

The 15,000 troops serving the U.N. Mission in Sierra Leone yesterday became part of a groundbreaking initiative to disseminate information about HIV/AIDS throughout the community in the hopes of slowing the spread of infection.  Peacekeepers typically have a high level of interaction with people who live in the areas where they serve.

The first step will be to assess peacekeepers' knowledge about HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.  They will then receive training in HIV/AIDS prevention, gender awareness and women's rights.

"This program represents a breakthrough because it acknowledges the critical role peacekeepers can play in preventing HIV infection and protecting women's rights," said Florence Butegwa, regional program director for the U.N. Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).

The U.N. Population Fund is coordinating the program, which draws together the efforts of UNAMSIL, the U.N. Department of Peacekeeping Operations, UNIFEM, the Joint U.N. Program on HIV/AIDS and the International Center for Migration and Health (U.N. release, March 6).