KOHIMA, MARCH 8 (MExN): HIV or AIDS cases amongst women has reached an alarming proportion in Nagaland with 64% of the youths infected with diseases between the age group of 15-24 being women.
Dr Vinito today disclosed that HIV prevalence among women has advanced considerably in the recent year with women making up 64% of infected youths. Nagaland ranks among the top six in the list of high HIV/AIDS prevalence states.
This high rate of HIV infected women in the state could be attributed to many reasons, he said. Social stigma involved with HIV infected women, non-participation of women in decision making, blame game of men on their better half, paying less attention to women are some of the factors which need to be addressed, he said.
Speaking on behalf of Dr Kumuni today at the celebration of International Women Day, Dr Vinito called upon women to play their part in containing the spread of disease.
Majority of young people infected with HIV/AIDS are females.
Reasons -
a) Inadequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS.
b) Insufficient access to HIV prevention services,
c) Inability to negotiate safe sex practices,
d) Lack of social and Economic status of many women,
e) Many women are infected through heterosexual route,
f) Violence against women can accelerate the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Some measures to be taken -
a) Education is the key to prevention of HIV/AIDS,
b) Women leaders should take the responsibility in breaking the silence and act as frontrunners in fighting stigma and discrimination of HIV/AIDS,
c) Every woman should know how to protect oneself from all inequalities, especially in the fight against HIV/AIDS,
d) Violence should not be tolerated,
e) HIV is not a death sentence. It is not shameful nor a curse. It is a challenge, and
f) It is a challenge to live better, a challenge to reconsider ones lifestyle and a challenge to understand human suffering better.
Women are a source of Inspiration, providing strength, hope and love to all.
Issued by Kohima District AIDS Committee
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