DIMAPUR, JUNE 16 (MExN): On the eve of its third anniversary since it was established by the Women wing of the Nagaland Baptist Churches Council, the Miqlat ministry today looks back with a sense of contentment of being able to reach out to the women in difficult circumstances and providing them with a sense of hope in time of hopelessness.
June 17 marks the third years of Miqlat existence; it is a bold initiative of Churches from the predominantly Baptist Naga Christians that take on issues faced by women in difficult circumstances. The mission included reaching out to women involved in sextrade, offering empowerment and alternative employment opportunities and helping them to take charge of their lives, stated a press statement issued by Haiyale from the Miqlat Ministry.
Haiyale said that Miqlat, which is a Hebrew word meaning ‘Asylum and Refuge’, is an initiative of the influential Women wing of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), which set up a board to address the question of women involved the profession of flesh-trade in the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The mission largely is an outcome of a resolution taken during the “Naga Women in 21st Century” conference held at Kohima, she said.
Haiyale, in the press statement, pointed out that the increased impact of poverty, cultural barriers have led to women becoming more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. Added to it, the stigma associated with commercial sex work, especially women in the profession are often forced to operate in high risk circumstances that often lead to the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Pointing out the need to reach out to the women in the profession of sex trade, Haiyale said, “This also leaves them extremely vulnerable since they are unable to access health care freely. Therefore, early intervention and prevention in a non-stigmatising environment is essential to reduce health risks of women involved in sex work and preventing other women from entering sex work.”
The Miqlat ministry focuses on empowerment and improving access of vulnerable women to voluntary counseling and testing services.
Haiyale said that over 100 women are receiving benefits such as health care, referral services to hospitals, vocational training and livelihood assistance and added that a Clinical Consultant is being added as a special service for the existing Drop In Centre (DIC) located at Naga Bazar Murgi Pati.
Haiyale, however, said that there is an urgent need felt by the Miqlat Ministry to scale up the services and assistance provided so that more women can benefit from such efforts since they are aware that lack of a cohesive and sustained response leads to the women being forced into sex work.
The Miqlat ministry, as far as moral and logistical support is concerned, there is no derth of it, as Hailyale, disclosed that over twenty Women Departments of the NBCC, board members of Miqlat Committee, Dimapur Town Baptist Women Union, Christian Higher Secondary School, Baptist Churches in Dimapur and many individuals have come forward to assist through voluntary services and financial assistance.
The ministry is also backed by the NBCC, through its commitment to “comprehensively combat HIV/AIDS as a caring community” endorsing the mandate to speak and to act in love to the challenges to human life and dignity posed by HIV/AIDS, which was signed in February 20, 2007 by 20 tribal associations of NBCC, Haiyale added.
While pointing out the significance of the NBCC February Declaration, Haiyale said that the NBCC has acknowledged that care and support for the ailing is a ‘Gospel Mandate.’
“The Church strongly affirms the priesthood of all believers and that nothing separates us from the love of God, including our HIV status”, quoted Haiyale from the NBCC declaration.
So far as the going is concerned for the Miqlat ministry, Haiyale quoted the Women Secretary, NBCC, Narola’s statement that, “The Churches are coming forward and we are so encouraged.”
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