Young Women on the Move: Affected and Infected: Young Women and HIV

If anyone should be talking about HIV and AIDS, it’s young women, and everyone else should be listening. Globally, there are 5.4 million young people living with HIV, and nearly 60% are female. At the 2009 YWCA Regional Training Institutes, young women gathered to talk about HIV. From the Caribbean to the Pacific to Asia and Africa, young women had the opportunity to share their hopes and fears about HIV and AIDS and what it means for their future.

“There is a problem of violence against people living with HIV and AIDS, which sends a bad message to people. People don’t want to get tested. HIV positive people are fired from their jobs and are discriminated against. Women are afraid to be tested as they think life ends with a positive diagnosis. When I was pregnant I went to the hospital but because they knew I was HIV positive, they did not attend to me. I had to give birth on my own even though I was in the maternity ward of the hospital. My newly born daughter fell from the bed while I was giving birth unattended and died. I survived, but it is hard. Without strength, it is hard for positive women. We must be strong.” D’addy Malonga, YWCA of Congo Brazzaville

“For so long, the issue of HIV had never been openly discussed among American Samoans. It was taboo and somewhat disregarded due to cultural aspects. Slowly, this subject, along with sexual and reproductive health and rights, and violence against women have become topics of concern in the community. I believe the key priority issues to address for young women in my country include HIV awareness and education, teenage pregnancy, home abortions and the rights of women who have been violated.” Magdalene Pepe Petaia, YWCA of American Samoa

“ Initially, Nepal’s HIV epidemic was driven by sex workers and drug users. Though HIV prevalence was concentrated in these groups for several years, infection is now rising in housewives, clients of sex workers, migrants and homosexuals. Infact, research has shown the HIV epidemic is taking a devastating toll on women in Nepal. The lack of fully inclusive knowledge of HIV and AIDS and proper condom use, as well as negligence and risky sexual behaviour have increased the risk of HIV infection in society. Discrimination of women is entrenched in Nepali society. Due to inequality and discrimination, women are not able to access formal education, which deprives them of employment opportunities and increases their likelihood of living in poverty. Poverty then exposes women to high risk situations leaving them vulnerable to HIV infection.” Sushila Shrestha, YWCA of Nepal

“I am HIV positive and it is not easy, but it is also not so hard. I remember when I first spoke about my status on TV. I was very afraid and kept crying. Through counselling, I have come to accept my status and I am committed to educating and raising awareness on HIV and AIDS in the community. I have people who take very good care of me. The members of the YWCA take good care of me too and are so good to me.” Sofia Pedro Chambal, YWCA of Mozambique

“There are many women in Myanmar living with HIV. Women live in secret and don't talk openly about their status with other people. Even among the family, people don't discuss how to protect themselves from HIV in sexual relations. People are almost completely ignorant about the disease, especially young women.” Participant, YWCA of Myanmar

“HIV and AIDS affects young women in the Caribbean. I am affected. I live in a region with the second highest prevalence of HIV and AIDS after sub-Saharan Africa. I fall within the age bracket of the persons most infected in the Caribbean. I am a young woman and my fellow young women are being affected and infected.” Khadija James, YWCA of Trinidad and Tobago

“In Australia, we have made significant achievements in relation to HIV and AIDS education, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and violence against women. However, strong gender stereotypes continue to persist unquestioned in our government policies, workplaces and homes. We are fortunate the HIV prevalence is low. However, infection rates are increasing among indigenous people, migrants and other disadvantaged groups. The rate of sexually transmitted infections across the whole population is horrifyingly high. Young people are especially at risk of exposure due to the lack of education and support to negotiate safer sexual relationships. There is also the false perception that HIV is not a risk to anyone other than homosexual men, injecting drug users and people in high risk countries.” Anita Reynolds, YWCA Australia

“Last week my friend was admitted to hospital. Another patient was there. She was told she was HIV positive but she ran away, maybe because of discrimination. When she returned, she was ill again. Her family had left her in the hospital and I went to speak to her. When the medical practitioners came, they were very insensitive to her, accusing her of being a prostitute and shouting her status so that everyone stared. If the medical professionals cannot help then who will? The solution is that we need to educate medical professionals to be more sensitive and respect the rights and dignity of people, especially young women.” Onyeka Belema Ibeakuzie, YWCA of Nigeria