By Patience Amihere
The Co-Founder and Executive Secretary of the International Women Empowerment Network (IWEN-Ghana), Celestina Andoh, has entreated women’s groups to relentlessly work in support of the fight against the stigmatisation of People living with HIV (PLHIV).
She also asked them to collaborate with health officials to mount an intensive public education campaign to help control the spread of the disease.
“I strongly believe that if women decide to play active roles in public education on HIV and AIDS, we will eventually win the fight because women are focused on whatever they decide to do, and they do it well,” she said.
Ms. Andoh said this in an interview with JoyNews at Sunyani, the Bono regional capital.
She pointed out that women could not be ignored in society if Ghana seriously wanted to tackle the fight against any epidemic.
She said it is important to deal with the issue of stigmatisation and discrimination against People Living with HIV/AIDS so that HIV-positive persons would not hide their status and continue to spread the disease.
“Our quest to end HIV and AIDS by 2030 will be difficult if do not put ourselves together as women to end the stigmatisation of people living with HIV because stigma hurts them,” she stressed. She explained that there is enough evidence that some individuals have lived a healthy life for more than 15 years after testing positive for HIV, hence the need to eliminate stigmatisation.
“If we accept HIV and AIDS like any other chronic diseases such as Tuberculosis, diabetes or hypertension, then those living with the virus would equally feel accepted by their communities and thrive,” Ms. Andoh pointed out.
She added that the most important lesson is to prevent new infections and improve the quality of care for people living with HIV and AIDS.
She also urged the people to take all recommended precautions to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS.
The Co-Founder and Executive Secretary of IWEN-Ghana added, “I want to advise particularly the youth to stay away from risky sexual and other immoral behaviour to avoid HIV infection.”
She further urged all to show love, compassion, care and support for persons living with HIV and AIDS to extend their lifespan.
