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News Briefs |
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International
Women's Day is celebrated every year on 8th of March.
It provides an opportunity; 1)
To assess the advances in women’s equality 2)
To assess the challenges women face in different social-cultural
contexts 3)
To consider future steps to enhance the status of women 4)
To celebrate the gains made in these areas. This
year the theme is “Women and HIV/AIDS". According to WHO,
combating gender inequality is crucial in fight against HIV/AIDS.
Women’s vulnerability to the epidemic is increasing throughout the
world. By 2002, out of 38.6 million adults living with HIV/AIDS
globally, almost 50% were women. 58% of adult infections in sub-Saharan
Africa, 30% in South East Asia, and 20% in Europe and USA are women.
Women now account for almost 50% of HIV/AIDS cases worldwide. This is
because women are biologically, economically, socially and culturally
more vulnerable to infection than men. Factors such as financial
dependence on men, physical and sexual abuse from partners, and the fact
that it is acceptable for men to have multiple partners are gender
aspects that need to be considered in responding to the epidemic. This
inequality frequently prevents women and girls from obtaining treatment
for HIV/AIDS when sick, and from protecting themselves against
infection. To overcome this injustice, a first requirement is equitable
access to information, treatment, care and support. The
“3 by 5" initiative of WHO gives us the opportunity not
only to bridge the treatment gap but to overcome gender-based
inequities. In
Pakistan, women face gender-specific barriers. They have to get
permission from another household member (such as
husband, mother-in-law, brother,
or her son) to go to doctor. They often cannot buy the health
services on their own because they do not have control over household
resources. They are always more stigmatized than men for being
HIV-positive, and suffer more discrimination and more violence within
the home because of it. 1998
cases of HIV/AIDS were registered till 31-12-2002. These figures are
incorrect because according to a WHO estimate, there are more than
78,000 persons affected with HIV/AIDS in Pakistan. HIV/AIDS
is regarded as curse of God rather than a disease. The sufferers are not
given the status of a patient but of criminals and sinners .Their
families disown them and people hate them. They are thrown out of jobs
and schools. We have been trying to create awareness about STDs through our Family Health Program since last four years. To address the specific issue of Women and HIV/AIDS, this 8th March, our team launched an initiative which comprises of dissemination of the following information through hand bills and regular meetings of various groups of men and women arranged in our clinic. |
1)
HIV/AIDS is a disease and not a crime or sin. Unprotected sexual act is
the major but not the sole cause of spread of this infection. Anyone can
get it due to following causes; i)
Through infected blood ii)
Through infected mother to newborn iii)
Through milk of
HIV+ mother iv)
Due to multiple use of infected syringes v)
Through infected dental instruments vi)
Through infected instruments for piercing of ears and nose. vii)
Through infected blade. 2)
Like all patients, people suffering from HIV/AIDS also deserve care,
love, and sympathy. They should be provided all possible financial help
by family and friends because the treatment is very expensive. We should
visit them regularly and take care of their diet .We should help them to
have peace of mind. 3)
As a human being, we have a moral obligation to:
i) Respect them.
ii) Not disown them
iii) Not throw them out of home
iv) Not throw them out of jobs and schools 4)
The community should recognize and ensure equal rights for women to have
access to information, treatment, care and
support regarding this disease. Ours
is a definitely male dominant society. I have undertaken the most
difficult job of informing women about their rights and men about their
obligations as head of the family. I have been striving since 1993 in
collaboration with my local and international friends but our work was
very much limited to our immediate community. The Global Family
Doctor award has brought me an intense success. People have started
listening to us with interest and respect. It has helped me to get
access to useful persons and institutions in the country. This has
really opened new dimensions for my work. I am getting a lot of
invitations from throughout Pakistan, especially the remote areas, to
visit there and work in collaboration with them. |
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