Bangalore, Women’s groups launch new drive against AIDS

[Guest guest]

Women's groups launch new drive against AIDS

Sunitha Rao R, Monday, November 03, 2008 21:13 IST

Having the disease should not stop us from living with dignity, says

sex worker

BANGALORE: " An HIV positive, I am not taking anti-retroviral (ARV)

drugs for the past 13 years. Having the disease should not stop us

from living with dignity, " said Shanti, a sex worker.

She wants to spread this message to other women affected with HIV.

Shanti is a key person involved in the new project 'Baduku' (Life)

launched by Swathi Mahila Sangha (SMS) on Monday. For the past five

years, she has been working with SMS.

The project is done in co-ordination with Vijaya Mahila Sangha and

Jyothi Mahila Sangha, two other organisations working for the

empowerment of sex workers.

The programme aims to fight against the stigma attached to these

women and the discrimination they face.

The project is supported by the World Bank which has granted Rs16

lakhs for technical support for 18 months.

Psushpalatha R, project manager of SMS, said " Women sex workers who

are affected by HIV positive face double stigma. They are even more

discriminated and stigmatised leading to poor access to HIV-AIDS

related medical and other services. "

The project includes a one-month campaign programme. On November 5, a

bike rally will be held. Volunteers will visit hospitals and police

stations seeking the support of police, doctors and nurses in

changing the society's outlook on people with HIV.

As part of the campaign, a human chain will be held near Forum Mall

and on Nrupatunga road on November 14 to make the public aware that

HIV does not spread through touch.

The project also includes a signature campaign in which the public

will make a pledge not to discriminate people with HIV.

As early as October 5, SMS had started an email campaign to bring

awareness on AIDS.

" Thirty-five percent of people among those to whom we sent the emails

replied showing concern towards people with HIV. We require the

support of the general public, " said Hareesh, an SMS volunteer.

Second-line drugs

The primary treatment given to people with HIV positive is

antiretroviral. If this drug does not help, the second-line drugs

will be given to the affected.

The second line drugs cost Rs15, 000 per person every month. This is

distributed free of cost in government hospitals in Maharashtra.

" Karnataka government should take steps to make this drug available

in hospitals in our state too, " said Lakshmi K, an SMS volunteer.

Left with no option

Mamatha (32) lost her mother when she was born. Her stepmother hated

her and made her work like a servant at home. When Mamatha attained

puberty, her stepmother threw her out of the house.

From a village near Tumkur, Mamatha came to Bangalore in search of

livelihood. The 12-year-old took shelter in Majestic for four days.

On the fifth day, she was raped by miscreants.

She started working as a labourer and married her co-worker. By the

time she discovered she was affected by HIV, she was a mother of two.

Her husband died three months after being tested as HIV positive.

Mamatha's in-laws rejected her and the children.

'I decided to work as a sex worker to feed my kids', said Mamatha

whose children are staying in a school hostel.

" It's not easy to come out of the social stigma once we get affected

by HIV. I want to live and bring up my children. After the death of

my husband, who `gifted' me this disease, I was left with no option, "

said Mamatha.

She too is a member of SMS.

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