By Justina Auta
Hope Initiative, a mother-to-mother support group for women living with HIV and AIDs, has urged women to be self-dependent to prevent violence and abuse.
Coordinator of the group, Mrs Stella Ebeh-Obianuju, stated this in an interview on the sidelines of a two-day training for vulnerable women and those living with HIV on Wednesday in Abuja.
The workshop was organised by UN Women and Association of Women Living with HIV and AIDs in Nigeria (ASHWAN).
Ebeh-Obianuju noted that the abuse, stigma and discrimination being experienced by women, especially those living with HIV, were increasing by the day.
She stressed the need for women to enhance their economic independence to make them less vulnerable.
According to her, the organisation prioritises the welfare, health and well-being of its members and other vulnerable women, hence its support and care for them.
“I am representing ASHWAN on gender-based violence at the national level, and I know how many cases we record every day.
“This (2024) Christmas, we had more than 40 cases of physical abuse from the husbands. I believe that if women are empowered economically, they will be able to stand on their rights.
“I want women to be self-empowered so that they can stand on their own, train their children and live a healthy and productive life,” she said.
Ebeh-Obianuju called on other organisations and philanthropists to continue to support women, especially the vulnerable.
“We are calling on others to support and empower women living with HIV financially to enable them stand on their own, become self-independent and live a healthy and productive life.
“Some of our people lack what to eat; they take anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs on empty stomach because of the economic situation,” she said.
On stigma and discrimination, she urged vulnerable groups to take advantage of legal protections, while calling on government and other stakeholders to enforce laws to checkmate it.
Ebeh-Obianuju said that enforcement of the laws would also serve as a deterrent to others.
She recalled how businesses of some women living with HIV were affected and they were forced to shut down due to stigma, occasioned by their status.
“If the laws on stigma and discrimination are fully implemented, it will enable them live a healthy and productive life, and build businesses to take care of their children.
“If someone is living with HIV, it does not mean that the person cannot do business or get a job.
“We should sensitise our support group members on how to overcome stigma, as well as the public on its effects; this will go a long way to boost their confidence,” she said.
