Coalition of Women Living with HIV and Aids (COWLHA) has appealed to women in rural communities to take a leading role in HIV and Aids response, reflecting 2023 World Aids Day’s theme: Let Communities Lead.
COWLHA Programmes Manager Harry Madukani told Malawi News Agency on Thursday that in line with the theme, women living with HIV should take a lead on issues that affect them.
The appeal comes on the sidelines of World Aids Day commemoration which comes on December 1 every year.
“As COWLHA we want people living with HIV and AIDS to take a leading role in things that affect them, such as their involvement in implementing projects and being involved in research because for a long time, people outside the circle were taking leading role on issues of HIV and Aids. It’s high time women living with HIV to be in the forefront,” Madukani said.
He added that it is very important to have this day, as it brings together people from around the world to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS and demonstrate solidarity in the face of the pandemic.
“It is very important to have this day (World Aids Day) because it is a reminder that we still have this pandemic amongst ourselves and we also celebrate achievements we have so far done such as the anti-retroviral therapy that have helped people to live longer. The day also gives us opportunity to remember those we lost due to HIV and Aids,” he said.
Healthy Analyst Maziko Matemba said the theme of this year’s World Aids Day is very important to the country as it helps communities to take charge in eradicating HIV and AIDS.
“The theme empowers people to take responsibility in ending HIV and AIDS and at the same time encourage people living with HIV to take full responsibility in taking care of themselves by taking ARV drugs as regularly prescribed,” he said.
World Aids Day is a global movement to unite people in the fight against HIV and Aids, and since 1998, according to World Health Organisation, communities worldwide have stood together on this day to show strength and solidarity against HIV stigma and remember lives lost.
