Women facing impact of HIV/Aids need help

By Lucy Aciro Otim

More women, according to UNAIDS 2013 worldwide statistics, are living with HIV than men. Also, 57% of women in sub-Saharan are said to be living with the disease. In Uganda, at least 56% of the estimated 1,400,000 people living with HIV are reportedly women.

From the above statistics, is it clearly evidence that the risk of contracting the deadly HIV disease is higher among women than men, making the former more vulnerable than the latter. As experience has shown over the years, it appears most women in Uganda still lack the basic knowledge on HIV prevention mechanisms, owing to several factors, including poverty, cultural beliefs and inadequate exposure to modern prevention methods.

Over the years, we have seen scores of women activists defy the status quo and stand up against all forms of oppression, which should in essence, be emulated by those all those who cherish women’s rights and democracy. At Women and Children Protection Initiative (WACPI), for example, we have vowed not relent in efforts to halt all forms of violence and discrimination against women.

A community-based local entity operating in northern Uganda, WACPI started in 2012 when a few women got together to discuss the plight of women who experienced domestic and gender-based violence, maternal and reproductive health issues, education, nutritional, gender and governance, women economic empowerment, women’s rights, and discriminatory laws against women received little attention in the media and the public.

Since 2012, however, WACPI has worked with over 3,000 women, providing them the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to earn income, claim their rights, and make lasting change in their lives. Many of our women have struggled with poverty and abuse, grown up without minus attending school and have never believed that they can also be equal to men. Interestingly women, through our various programs, have come to learn that they too have rights equal to those of men. As such, many have been empowered to a level where nearly 60 percent confessed that they now had the strength to take action against any form of deprivation.

But again when you look at northern Uganda as a region, you will discover that the women have gained so much within a very short time. Several challenges, though, still lie ahead. Within the past few years, women in northern Uganda have seen incredible improvements in the education and health care. This can partly be attributed to the courage exhibited by some women while doing their work, despite the challenges they continue facing in society.

As advocates for women’s right, we believe society should not shy away from highlighting the plight of women who continue to face discrimination and violence in Uganda.  The notion that women are inferior when compared to their male counterparts should completely be stamped out. Their voices too are important in society. That they have the right to be heard, despite what their governments, society, or some families often portray of them.

In my view, the struggle for equality should be viewed as a collective effort. When women join together with a common goal, they are able to bring changes to their communities that would have been nearly impossible for one woman to do alone. That's what having passion truly means, coming together to support each other in hard times and working together to make life better for one another.

At WAPCI, we believe that one woman can change many things, but many women together can change everything. Women, all over the world, continue to struggle for equality, in education, health care, economic opportunities and political participation. For women to succeed, they will have to come together, across borders and divides.  When they do, they will not only have made life better for women, but for everyone in society.

The author is the Executive Director for Women and Children Protection Initiative (WACPI).
Email: wacipiuganda@gmail.com