ALLAHABAD: Women wage a 'positive' fight

[Guest guest]

12 August 2009 ALLAHABAD: Kusum (name changed) who lost her husband and her

only son to AIDS, and herself being HIV+ is making efforts to lead a normal

life. She is, in fact, grateful to the health department and Allahabad Network

for People Living With HIV\AIDS (ANP+) for making her aware about her rights.

Thrown out of the house by her relatives, Kusum not only overcame depression but

also fought for her property rights to reclaim everything from her in-laws which

she and her husband had accumulated for themselves. Despite the reluctance of

her in-laws to give her due share of a piece of land which was in the name of

her husband, Kusum fought till she managed to get the land transferred in her

name.

Scores of HIV+ widows who acquired the infection from their husbands are forced

to lead their lives in distress. After the deaths of their husbands, most of

them are disowned by their families or denied property rights. Unquestionably,

there are many who live in despair due to lack of awareness about their rights.

The lucky ones, like Kusum, who learnt about their rights reclaimed what was

legitimately theirs.

Ajita, secretary of Allahabad Network for People Living with HIV\AIDS (ANP+),

claims that many HIV+ widows contact them to know about their rights. She added

that HIV+ people too have fundamental rights which should be upheld at all

levels. ANP+, she added, offers support to such women by educating them about

their rights and even takes them to the government offices which can offer

assistance to these women.

" At least three or four such women visit the ANP+ office every month and we

assure that these widows too can lead a normal life,'' said Ajita.

Not only ANP+ but other four other NGOs including SWARG are working for HIV+

people with twin objectives to motivate those, who are still suffering silently,

to fight for their rights and make their voices heard to the authorities who

plan welfare programmes for the benefit of such persons.

Sujata's story too is similar to Kusum. After getting married to a Banda-based

person, who worked in Mumbai as a labourer, she got infected with HIV. In fact,

shortly after her marriage Sujata learnt that her husband was HIV+ even before

their marriage. Eight months back, her husband died and she found herself alone

to fight for her rights. However, she got timely help from some health

department officials who informed her about the property rights and Sujata went

out to reclaim her due from her in-laws.

Anil Yadav, who works with SWARG, says that many HIV infected people have

horrifying tales to narrate. " We offer them all sorts of assistance so that they

could also lead a normal life,'' he says, adding that though governments have

started various schemes for the welfare of such persons, more could still be

done.

With the support of NGOs and some government help, things are now getting better

for HIV+ widows, who are assured of justice and a respectable life. While the

government has already made free treatment available, HIV+ persons need a

support mechanism to help such people get living and impartiality.

The starling fact is that NACO (National AIDS Control Organisation) has termed

Allahabad district as sensitive asking health authorities to initiate measures

as far as awareness is concerned.

Shahid Askari, a social worker, says HIV+ persons need special attention as well

as support to lead a normal life. The society should spread awareness about the

cause and ensure justice for such persons, he adds.

He, however, admits that many HIV+ women, after the death of their husbands,

lose their property rights and are left without any source of living.

Hence, it requires more attention from government to pay heed towards the

grievances so that these women get enough support.

Meanwhile, Dr Meesum SAM said that health department is taking care of needs of

infected persons and also taking them to ICTC and ART centres for proper medical

care.

HELPLINE

* Allahabad Network for people with HIV\AIDS: contact them at 0532-2461632,

0532-3205556; email: anp_+@....

* UP State AIDS Control Society: 0522-2720360; email: upsacs@...

* Assistant district programme officer, AIDS control, Dr Meesum SAM: 9005062022

Information At A Glance

* UP has around 1.4 lakh HIV+ and AIDS patients.

* Allahabad is termed one of the sensitive districts by National AIDS Control

Organisation as far as its spread is concerned.

* Eastern UP districts most affected. Mostly migrant labourers.

RIGHTS:

* Prior consent needed for HIV testing.

* To keep HIV+ status confidential.

* Against discrimination due to HIV+ status.

* To seek legal remedy if rights are violated.

WHAT HIV+ NEED FROM GOVERNMENT:

* Antyodya cards for HIV+ widows thrown out of houses.

* Platform for speedy trial of denial of rights and discrimination.

FROM SOCIETY: * Equal Opportunity and to stop discrimination.

* Acceptability of victims help in prevention.

FROM MEDIA: * Stop quacks from advertising that they have treatment for AIDS.

* Make AIDS awareness round-the-year activity.

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