Rebekah Jamir
Dimapur | September 11
Two HIV+ women today boldly spoke on how organizations working in the area of HIV/AIDS needs to focus more on women-centred issues. Declining to be named, the two women also said that although many organizations have conducted programmes for HIV/AIDS on ‘care and support for PLWHA,’ in reality there is much to be achieved.
They both felt that organizations need to have separate drop-in centers and more trained female counselors for women as they don’t feel free to talk about their problems to male counselors. They also mentioned that some of the organizations employ their own families and friends so much so that most women don’t get the privilege to work even though these women are without jobs and burdened with family responsibilities.
The two women, speaking to The Morung Express, were participating in a programme for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), today at Pastoral Hall, Holy Cross School campus, organized by the Development Association (DAN) of Nagaland in collaboration with the media fraternity, Dimapur. The main aim was to understand the plight of PLWHAs. The programme commenched with a welcome speech by Fr. Saji, Director of DAN and Paul, a member of DAN gave an introductory of the programme.
Geoffrey Yaden, Editor of Nagaland, also said a word of encouragement to support the HIV/AIDS positive and to make efforts to remove stigmatization and discrimination from the society. The Editor also said in his speech that the media should focus on the rehabilitation of PLWHAs to make their life normal. During the programme, Abemo a member of PPF shared the difficulties faced by PLWHAs.
He mentioned that there are no proper care centre; shortage of medicinal kits, insufficient of trained doctors, nurses and counselors. He also requested the media not to use the word ‘victim’ to refer to HIV/AIDS+ people.
Few other organizations like the Kekhire Krepa Foundation also spoke on how the society needs to remove ‘fear’ to have a future without any stigma and discrimination. Towards the end of the programme, there was an interaction between the organizations and the media followed by a vote of thanks by Kishor Dass (DAN) and refreshment.
Morung Express News
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