Thanks to KSACS on behalf of Women Living with HIV.

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

In order to generate a response from the Government officials

regarding the accessibilities of Government Programs, Employment

Opportunities for People living with HIV/AIDS, the Positive Women

Network (PWN+)with Kerala Positive Women Network(KPWN+) organized a

State level Advocacy workshop & Event " To address the needs and

concerns of Women Living with HIV/AIDS from 9 Districts of Kerala "

in the Month of May-08.

This consultation aimed at addressing the concerns of Women living

with HIV/AIDS to the programmes and schemes of various government

ministries and departments in Kerala and share experiences and

issues from the voice of WLHA to seek multi sectoral response.

Panalists from State Human Rights Commission, State commission for

Women, KSACS, and participation of Mr. grassier, Member of

Legislative Assembly–Kovalam Constituency motivated the Government

officials and women living with HIV participated in that event.

Positive Women Network suggested the following achievable

Recommendations to improve the government systems and to encourage

the WLHA to live a life with dignity and submitted to the

Departments.

1) Practical updated and attitudinal HIV-related training, women and

children-related treatment training and sensitization programmes

must be conducted for all Government department staffs and

Administrators.

2) Post-Graduate students of Medicine should be given hands-on

training to handle HIV/AIDS- related conditions so that they are

well-equipped to deal with such cases in future.

3) Codes of Ethics and professional conduct in healthcare provision

should be put in place with appropriate forms for redressal of

professional violations.

4) Adequate supplies of Universal Barrier Precautions and basic

infrastructure must be made available in hospitals and labs for

infection control, hygiene and the safety of healthcare providers.

5) Updated information on the disease, medication, dosage, testing,

precautions and preventive measures and medicines for women and

adherence should be readily available to healthcare workers.

6) Adequate supplies of culturally relevant IEC materials on updates

should be available to healthcare workers.

7) Better referral and co-ordination mechanisms between departments

for reducing stigma and discrimination.

8) Well-trained counselors equipped with knowledge on handling

health issues faced by women and children living with HIV.

9) Testing guidelines need to be developed for children affected by

HIV. Child-friendly Information on ART and HIV should be developed.

10) Increase the amount of Widow Pension, and priority should be

given to the applications of WLHA.

11) Necessary certificates need to be provided for WLHA in a

priority basis to access the schemes of the government.

12) Support for Women Self-Help groups formed by WLHA is needed.

13) Sensitization program for all government departments is needed

to understand the concerns of WLHA.

14) Provide and ensure Job opportunities in Health sector and

counseling centers for Women Living with HIV/AIDS and help them to

live a life with dignity

Following to this Advocacy Event we would like to salute KSACS and

express our happy and thanks to KSACS for taking the remarkable

decision in favor of PLHA to reserve Jobs for them. We would like to

thank KSACS for the implementation of the recommendation given by

PWN+ in terms of Job opportunities to PLHA.

Also we would like to request to the Respected Project Director and

APD to derive certain mechanism with the consultation of Networks to

bridge the gaps between WLHA-KSACS- Other Government Departments- to

access the schemes available and this is the right team to do that.

Once again Thanks to KSACS on behalf of Women Living with HIV/AIDS.

In Solidarity,

Positive Women Network (PWN+) India, and

Kerala Positive Women Network (KPWN+)

Palarivattom, Ernakulam,

Kerala.

e-mail: <suseelaanand@...>