preetu.nair
12th January 2007, 01:57
AASHA: A ray of hope for women infected with AIDS
Preetu Nair, Gomantak Times dated 10 March 2005.
* Rani’s husband and in laws threw her and her two children out of the
house. Her fault? She was HIV positive. And how did she get it? From
her husband.
Rani puts a brave front, but she is yet to come of the pain and agony
.With tears in her eyes, she admits that for no fault of hers, she is
being punished, but is happy to be with women, whose experiences and
pains are no different from hers.
* Maria had a perfect house, a caring husband, loving children and a
good job.A confident woman, she had the world in her hands .But things
changed for her when she was detected with HIV positive.She was thrown
out of the job, her loving husband became sarcastic and deliberately
avoided her and worse still, children refused to come near her or even talk
to her ,lest they also be infected with the virus.Finally unable to
face the cold blooded attitude of the family and the taunts of neighbours,
she moved to a home, which shelters women with HIV/AIDS.
“I was scared and alone but other women who were also HIV positive
helped me overcome my pain and grief .When I was sick they took care of me.
They really make all the difference in my life,” she said.
* “My husband destroyed my life and when we were found HIV positive ,
he put the blame on me , saying that I had a loose character and I was
responsible for his condition .Being a man it was very easy for him to
convince people and relatives while I became a outcaste,” said 25 year
old Meena. She was detected HIV positive ten months back. She got it
from her husband who was a truck driver. Meena had married at the age of
15, now she is 25.Once in the Shelter home; she delivered a son which is
also HIV positive. “I want to live, I want to live for my little son
and look after him,” she added.
Rani, Maria and Meena have different life experiences but their
problem, worries, queries and needs are almost the same. And when together
they can share the fear of stigma, societal isolation, stress and fear of
death. But if they come together they can help one another overcome the
grief, understand the illness and retain self – esteem and dignity.
Keeping this in mind, Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) in order
to cater to women who have been detected HIV positive launched Alliance
for Support of People living with HIV/AIDS (AASHA) on Wednesday. This
network will act as a forum to organize HIV /AIDS persons who undergo
rejection, neglect and stigma from their families and society, by giving
them courage and confidence to collectively pursue their rights.
There are also plans to form Self- help groups for HIV positive women
to come together and indulge in some occupation so that they can become
financially independent.
“AASHA intends to create network of women with HIV positive from all
states which will support group to fight stigma and discrimination,” said
Wendy Pereira, GSACS.
However, the women either seems to be neither sure not confident about
AASHA.”If it works out, it is really good for us .But with the attitude
of people, even officials in the health department …I really don’t
know,” said Rani*
*names have been changed
Preetu Nair, Gomantak Times dated 10 March 2005.
* Rani’s husband and in laws threw her and her two children out of the
house. Her fault? She was HIV positive. And how did she get it? From
her husband.
Rani puts a brave front, but she is yet to come of the pain and agony
.With tears in her eyes, she admits that for no fault of hers, she is
being punished, but is happy to be with women, whose experiences and
pains are no different from hers.
* Maria had a perfect house, a caring husband, loving children and a
good job.A confident woman, she had the world in her hands .But things
changed for her when she was detected with HIV positive.She was thrown
out of the job, her loving husband became sarcastic and deliberately
avoided her and worse still, children refused to come near her or even talk
to her ,lest they also be infected with the virus.Finally unable to
face the cold blooded attitude of the family and the taunts of neighbours,
she moved to a home, which shelters women with HIV/AIDS.
“I was scared and alone but other women who were also HIV positive
helped me overcome my pain and grief .When I was sick they took care of me.
They really make all the difference in my life,” she said.
* “My husband destroyed my life and when we were found HIV positive ,
he put the blame on me , saying that I had a loose character and I was
responsible for his condition .Being a man it was very easy for him to
convince people and relatives while I became a outcaste,” said 25 year
old Meena. She was detected HIV positive ten months back. She got it
from her husband who was a truck driver. Meena had married at the age of
15, now she is 25.Once in the Shelter home; she delivered a son which is
also HIV positive. “I want to live, I want to live for my little son
and look after him,” she added.
Rani, Maria and Meena have different life experiences but their
problem, worries, queries and needs are almost the same. And when together
they can share the fear of stigma, societal isolation, stress and fear of
death. But if they come together they can help one another overcome the
grief, understand the illness and retain self – esteem and dignity.
Keeping this in mind, Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) in order
to cater to women who have been detected HIV positive launched Alliance
for Support of People living with HIV/AIDS (AASHA) on Wednesday. This
network will act as a forum to organize HIV /AIDS persons who undergo
rejection, neglect and stigma from their families and society, by giving
them courage and confidence to collectively pursue their rights.
There are also plans to form Self- help groups for HIV positive women
to come together and indulge in some occupation so that they can become
financially independent.
“AASHA intends to create network of women with HIV positive from all
states which will support group to fight stigma and discrimination,” said
Wendy Pereira, GSACS.
However, the women either seems to be neither sure not confident about
AASHA.”If it works out, it is really good for us .But with the attitude
of people, even officials in the health department …I really don’t
know,” said Rani*
*names have been changed