The Challenges:
A
major part of WOFAD's work has been to lend psycho-social support to
women infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Due to several social and
cultural complexities, people living with HIV (PLWH) continue to be stigmatized affecting their
ability to live a free and prosperous life. Being marginalized due to status or gender can have detrimental impacts. Stigma and discrimination geared towards PLWH can for instance affect economic activities, equal participation in society, create vulnerabilities to violence and abuse, marginalize the person from their community, workplace, or even families, and overall impede on the psychological well-being of the individual. Women living with HIV (WLHIV) are often affected disproportionately by this type of discrimination as compared to their male counterparts. In Malawi, having close relationships with friends, neighbors, and other community members is very important. This is especially true for women who spend the majority of their days carrying out traditional roles such as fetching water, working on the fields, doing domestic chores, and spending much of this time with other women in their community. Many women experience being ostracized by community members, traditional and religious leaders based on their status which can have negative repercussions for all areas of their lives.
During a recent study, WOFAD found that HIV-positive women not only experience social discrimination and marginalization, but that their economic participation is often jeopardized based on their HIV-positive status. "People do not want to buy from us", one woman complained. Doing piece work and being employed even as a house worker or guard is difficult because employers are hesitant to hire a person living with HIV. Even at community level, women are experiencing difficulties being treated as equals by chiefs and community leaders. Some HIV-positive women are excluded from the government subsidized fertilizer coupon program. Another program implemented by government called "Food for Work" hires people, especially those highly vulnerable to poverty, to do small piece work. Many of the women interviewed during the WOFAD survey stated having been excluded from the program based on their HIV-status. The women have been told they are too weak, even though most of the work is less strenuous than the type of work the women are already doing on a daily basis.
While WLHIV are especially vulnerable to human rights abuses, discrimination by family and the community, and often bear heavy psychological burdens as a result, women who are HIV-negative are also victims of this phenomenon. While they do not bear the brunt of being stigmatized based on their HIV status, challenges linked to poverty, gender-based violence, lack of education and health care, as well as other cultural and social barriers impeding on women's rights are very prevalent in the lives of poor, marginalized, and vulnerable women.
During a recent study, WOFAD found that HIV-positive women not only experience social discrimination and marginalization, but that their economic participation is often jeopardized based on their HIV-positive status. "People do not want to buy from us", one woman complained. Doing piece work and being employed even as a house worker or guard is difficult because employers are hesitant to hire a person living with HIV. Even at community level, women are experiencing difficulties being treated as equals by chiefs and community leaders. Some HIV-positive women are excluded from the government subsidized fertilizer coupon program. Another program implemented by government called "Food for Work" hires people, especially those highly vulnerable to poverty, to do small piece work. Many of the women interviewed during the WOFAD survey stated having been excluded from the program based on their HIV-status. The women have been told they are too weak, even though most of the work is less strenuous than the type of work the women are already doing on a daily basis.
While WLHIV are especially vulnerable to human rights abuses, discrimination by family and the community, and often bear heavy psychological burdens as a result, women who are HIV-negative are also victims of this phenomenon. While they do not bear the brunt of being stigmatized based on their HIV status, challenges linked to poverty, gender-based violence, lack of education and health care, as well as other cultural and social barriers impeding on women's rights are very prevalent in the lives of poor, marginalized, and vulnerable women.
Our Opportunities:
As a women's organization, started and run by women, WOFAD has many opportunities to empower and encourage women. The organization believes in equality and aims to encourage disadvantaged and vulnerable women and girls through projects and activities. WOFAD's doors are always open for new-comers and those who are experiencing problems. We often receive referrals from local police , victim support units, cases from social welfare, and walk-in matters of people who require support. WOFAD has been operating in Blantyre for many years, and thus, has the privilege of being associated to and known amongst many other civil society organizations, government, and service delivery institutions. WOFAD works inside a net of many different bodies and is able to connect those in need to the proper support systems.
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WOFAD Projects and Programs:
Group Therapy
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Since its establishment, WOFAD has been offering weekly Group Therapy sessions for women affected and infected by HIV and AIDS. The group started with a handful of women and grew over the years. Currently Group Therapy consists of 20-25 women who attend the sessions on a weekly basis to seek counseling and social support. The women, headed by two WOFAD staff members and volunteers, engage in dialogue to share and discuss issues regarding HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, gender-based violence, stigma and discrimination, health related issues, and financial struggles. The women have received knowledge and skills in areas of nutrition and positive living, permaculture and herbal medicine, and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR).
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We Have Rights Too!
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The We Have Rights Too! Project which was funded by Tilitonse Fund was implemented in three Traditional Authorities (T/As) in Blantyre. The main objective was promoting and protecting the sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) of women and girls living with HIV and AIDS. One part of the project was to end stigma and discrimination towards WLHIV through advocacy, awareness raising, and trainings. WOFAD recruited and trained a number of volunteers as peer educators in each TA who continue to be active preventing violations and counseling those who have fallen victim. The peer educators were trained on SRHR policies, violations, and where to seek redress. Chiefs, traditional leaders, and community-based organizations were also included in the training workshops as well as health care workers, members of the police, and couples living with HIV. Overall, violations have decreased, violators are being held accountable and stigma and discrimination has reduced.
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Home-Based and Palliative Care Program
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The community Home-Based and Palliative Care Program ran from 2008-2009 and then again from 2011-2012. Funding for this program was received from the National Aids Commission (NAC). Together with the DHO, WOFAD trained 60 women on how to care for chronically sick patients; this included specifics about feeding someone who weak and unable to feed him/herself, bathing a patient, lending psycho-social support, and how to use basic sign language to communicate with individuals unable to speak.
Women were providing the service to sick individuals within their community, visiting their homes and offering counseling on positive living. In addition they would distribute food, clothes, and HBC kits to the patients. Four bicycle ambulances were also donated to the communities in order to assist with the transportation of sick patients and pregnant women to hospitals. |