News
Shane Superville
As TT prepares to join International Women’s Day on Monday with the rest of the world, Social Development and Family Services Minister Donna Cox encourages the public to know their status and to be tested for HIV and AIDS as women and young people girls were seen. as vulnerable to infection.
Cox explained the difference in figures between HIV infection for men and women by cultural and economic gaps when she launched a brochure on the publication of HIV status in the HIV / Aids Coordination Unit, CL Financial Building, on Friday. Port of Spain, spoke. .
‘Research has shown that women make up more than half the number of people living with HIV worldwide.
‘Young women between the ages of ten and 24 are twice as likely to contract HIV as their male counterparts.
“HIV affects women and adolescent girls excessively because of vulnerabilities created by cultural, social and economic status.”
She also noted that the launch of the brochure coincided with the recent Zero Discrimination Day commemorated on March 1 with the theme – no discrimination against women and girls.
Michael Reid, chief technical officer, said the ministry was committed to making people aware and promoting treatment for people from all backgrounds infected with the disease.
He said the prevalence of infections among women and girls was something that was of concern to international bodies.
“Although the global HIV response has changed significantly since the first case, too many women and adolescent girls remain vulnerable due to their unequal social status.
“In fact, the UN has expressed particular concern about the vulnerability of women to infections by partners who do not know their status or refuse to disclose it.”
Reid said the ministry’s approach to tackling the disease was guided by the UN’s goals for sustainable development for 2030 and would work with all stakeholders to achieve these goals.
Cox said despite the progress made over the years with the inclusion of HIV-positive people in society, it is still a challenge to reveal the status as the government seeks to empower those who want to deal with the disease.
She said that although people living with the disease are very afraid of being victimized or discriminated against, it is the first step towards the legal protection and psychosocial support available under the ministry.
Disclosure of whether or not it is authorized is usually rooted in the fear of being vulnerable to stigma and discrimination, which often leads to poor medication compliance and psychosocial issues such as isolation, anxiety and depression.
‘The issue of disclosure remains of paramount importance in the HIV landscape. Among the benefits of HIV disclosure are improved adherence to medication and greater access to care and support.
“Disclosure enables HIV-positive people to possess their status, and provides legal protection against discrimination, while facilitating empowerment and creating opportunities to address psychosocial problems.”
Cox said the brochure contains information and advice on how people should disclose their status to those around them.