…call for domestication of the anti stigma law
By Udesinanna Stephen
Stakeholders in Ekiti State have called on governments at all levels to set aside a Special Social Fund to support women and girl child particularly those living with HIV/AIDS.
This was part of resolutions reached in Ado Ekiti during a conference organised by the Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (ASWHAN), Ekiti State as part of activities to commemorate 2024 International Women’s Day.
The stakeholders who spoke separately agreed that government must invest in women so as to give them sense of belonging and enable them make meaningful impact in the society.
Speaking at the conference, the Ekiti State Coordinator of the Association, Esther Awe urged Federal and State Government to include women living with
HIV in social investment fund, conditional cash transfers and in the palliative distribution adding that unemployed among them should be given jobs
She called on donor partners to support and help mobilize funds for ASWHAN to build the capacity of members especially, the capacity of the support groups at the grassroots to enable them engage meaningfully with their communities and to advocate for their rights.
According to her, poverty, gender equality, violence and discrimination is a daily challenge, saying the domestication of anti-stigma law and enforcement will help protect the rights of women living with HIV.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs, Ekiti State, Mrs Omotayo Olatilu, stated that efforts are ongoing to ensure supports come to the association, as there are programmes initiated under the Ministry.
The Permanent Secretary who was represented by a Deputy Director in the Ministry, Mrs Helen Oluwatoyin also called for increased empowerment.
She said:”We do not need all this garri and beans empowerment, we need an advanced empowerment that can facilitates independency in finance, many women are carrying the burden of the home, therefore we cannot hide ourselves.
The State Coordinator, Network of People Living With HIV and Aids in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Ekiti State, Pastor Oyewole Oluwafemi in his address called for more promoted campaigns and advocacy to reach concerned bodies regarding the plight of ASWHAN, saying that the promotion of the affairs gives government and concerned bodies no chance for excuses.
Also present is the Executive Secretary, Ekiti State Aids Control Agency, EKSACA who revealed that funds have been budgeted for People Living With HIV (PLWHAN).
He also said, “Women are very important in the society, no woman no nation, so I am praying that considering the economic recession it is important that women are supported to help the men.”
Also a Representative of the State Aids Programme Coordination, SASCP, Ekiti State, Mrs Ilesanmi Taiwo, admonished the public to shun stigmatisation of women living with HIV/AIDS while calling on them to build self esteem.
“You need to be proud of yourself, not absorbing stigmas because of your status. You need to know yourself, as Women if we can manage our home, husband and children then we can manage the nation.” She said.
On gender based violence she called on the women in such position to speak out so that the right and concerned bodies can support them.