Re: Orissa: Woman killed because husband had AIDS

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends

We at INP+ are very saddened to hear this incident. It is quite unfortunate that

incidents like these keep occuring despite the high HIV/AIDS awareness among the

general public being claimed by the government and other sources. This points

out that there need to be messages and programs to address the stigma and

discrimination faced by people living with HIV/AIDS. The fact that the in-laws

of that woman have burnt her alive indicate the need to involve the family

members in the care of people living with HIV and to make them understand the

issues of people living with HIV.

We hope appropriate and swift action be taken in this case and the two children

of that allegedly HIV-positive woman also need to be taken care of. If any one

knows more details kindly let us know. Government of Orissa needs to seriously

consider how they can provide information about HIV/AIDS to its citizens with

out marginalizing or posing dangers to people living with HIV or already

marginalized communities. NACO should set up a national task force to monitor

and take action on incidents of atrocities, stigma/discrimination and human

rights violations faced by people living with HIV and marginalized communties.

We strongly feel that involving people living with HIV/AIDS in Orissa's

prevention and care programs will give visibility to the human face of HIV/AIDS

in Orissa which is considered as a " low [HIV] prevalence state " and can help in

combating stigma and discrimination. Hence we urge the central and state

governments to work closely with PLHA networks. Recently, Uthkal Network for

People living with HIV(PLHA network in Orissa) affiliated to the Indian Network

for People Living with HIV/AIDS (INP+) has been formed and this incident has

also raised queries regarding the safety of people living with HIV who would

like to openly come out in the public about their HIV status. We hope things

will change and PLHA network in Orissa will also make intensive efforts to

change the scenario in Orissa.

Sincerely

Kousalya Periasamy, President, Positive Women Network (PWN+)

K.K. Abraham, President, Indian Network for People living with HIV/AIDS (INP+)

INP+ <inpplus@...>