Women living with HIV asked to take leading role

 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.

Speaking yesterday ahead of today’s World Aids Day commemorations, COWLHA programmes manager Harry Madukani urged women living with HIV to take the lead on issues that affect them.

“We want people living with HIV and Aids to take a leading role on things that affect them and their involvement in implementing projects 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 started to be in the forefront,” he said.

The theme for this year is ‘Let communities lead’.

Madukani stressed that the day, which falls on December 1, is important as it brings together people globally to raise awareness about HIV and Aids and demonstrate solidarity.

He said: “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.”

Health commentator Maziko Matemba said the theme of this year’s World Aids Day commemoration helps Malawians 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.