Worldwide it is observed that particularly young women and girls are becoming more venerable to HIV infection today around half of people living with HIV in the world are female. The increasing trend of HIV infection among young women and girls becomes ore evident from the fact that more than 64% of young people infected are female.
The reasons for young women becoming more susceptible that male partners are many, it can be biological, social, economical rights, education etc, which leads to inadequate knowledge about AIDS, insufficient access to HIV prevention services, inability to negotiate safer sex practices. The HIV/AIDS prevention slogan ABC (A- Abstinence; B- Be faithful and C- Consistently use condom) holds no weight for many women and girls because condom use or abstinence from sex often becomes an option not left to them. The lack of social and economic status of many women makes them unable to negotiate relationships based on abstinence, faithfulness and use of condom. Remember marriage is no protection against HIV. In fact, many women were infected through heterosexual route from their husbands or long term sexual partners. Most of the time, women and girls are vulnerable to HIV because of the high risk behaviour of others.
Women are the true strength of the nation. They hold families and communities together, in their quiet existence live the will and the making s of a better tomorrow.
Violence against women can accelerate the spread of HIV and violence must not be tolerated. Women must manage to fight the wrong and overcome it. In the face of the threat posed by HIV/AIDS, women should be the source of encouragement and strength. To attend a community where women are strong, confident, educated and independent, meeting the needs of girl child today is crucial. The challenges one can take up on her behalf are many. The road to the point where her life safety and existence are not threatened by violence, diseases and exploitation is tough and has no sign post but it can be traversed with a little encouragement and sustenance with a pooling of inputs, intertions and the will to help those who can shine as bright as our own children.
Education is the key to prevention of HIV/AIDS. Women leaders should take the responsibilities in breaking the silence and they should act as the front runners in fighting against stigma and discrimination and in reducing HIV vulnerability.
From this day onwards, let every women see oneself as an agent of change and empowerment of women. Every woman should know how to protect one self from all existing inequalities. Women have a unique and valuable role to play in all aspect of life and especially in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Women are a source of inspiration, providing strength, hope and love to all.
HIV pandemic is affecting the most productive age group all over the world and the child-bearing women are among the most vulnerable groups. Many women are ashamed when they learn they have HIV infection. This may be because of the variety of community reaction. But today, with better understanding of the disease and epidemic, we have come to know that HIV is not a death sentence, it is not shameful nor a curse. It is a challenge.
It is a challenge to live better, a challenge to reconsider your lifestyle and a challenge to understand human suffering better.
What HIV-Positive need to know.
• There is a risk that their baby will be born with HIV. That is, of all children born to HIV-Positive mother who receive Nevirapine treatment, about one in ten will still be HIV-Positive.
• The treatment does not have any benefit for the mothers health, because it only prevents transmission to the child.
• HIV-Positive women may not breastfeed if they can safely use appropriate alternative methods. If they cannot safely use these methods for eg, if they do not have a good supply of clean water, they should continue to breastfeed.
• HIV-Positive women can access Anti Retroviral Treatment for the longer and healthier life.
(As issued by NSACS)
