The Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria has called on both the Federal and State Governments to include them in palliative distribution, social investment funds, and conditional cash transfers among others.
The National Coordinator of the association, Esther Hindi, made the call on Friday at a programme to commemorate International Women’s Day in Asaba, the Delta state capital.
Hindi said this year’s theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” was to empower women with life-building skills to reduce their vulnerabilities.
She said, “The International Women’s Day 2024 campaign theme ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress” is a call to Action for investment in women in all sense of belonging.
“It is also a call to accelerate and value investment in women and girls living with HIV in all diversities to enjoy their rights and live a decent livelihood.
“Therefore, we call on the government both nationally and in states to include women living with HIV in social investment funds, conditional cash transfers, include WLWH in palliative distribution and create employment opportunities for WLWH.
“Our women have been working at the facilities as volunteer Mentor Mothers for over 15 years. Let the Ministry of Health help us employ our women.”
She noted that the association had provided mental health training for young adolescent girls living with HIV to provide mental health counselling to their peers
In her remarks, the Delta State Coordinator of ASWHAN, Rita Amuwah, said the association was proud of its values and mission to work together to create a positive impact in the state and community with great exclusive insights and ideas together.
She thanked the state Director of women’s affairs, and the program manager SACA among others for all support over the years.
“We are thrilled to have you join us in this year’s International Women’s Day celebration and looking for a better celebration”, she said.
They urged the Federal and State Ministry of Justice, Human Rights Commission, and House of Assembly to ensure domestication of anti-stigma law and enforcement where need be, to protect the rights of women living with HIV and to give them an enabling safe space.