AASHA: A ray of hope for women infected with AIDS in Goa

[Guest guest]

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.

* 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, 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

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

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Venu Gopal

E-mail: <venugopal_2000@...>