Chapter for Young Women, Adolescents and Girls
In the global HIV movement, there are few spaces at decision making levels for young women, adolescents, and girls. This is not because there is a lack of us; it is because there has been little interest from existing leaders to include us in the response. Without including our voices on the issues that we experience we will never get the types of programs and support that we need.
In the last year, ICW Global has been laying the ground work to develop a Chapter for Young Women, Adolescents and Girls – we call it CYWAG for short. With this chapter we are hoping to encourage youth to join and be part of the movement.
Currently we are working on getting the word out there, and looking for others to join our team, by writing articles, sharing stories, sending art images and telling us about what really matters to you in your region concerning HIV.
The more we speak out about our diverse realities, the more the world will listen.
For more information contact: cywag@icwglobal.org
Dear darlings:
As a young woman living with HIV, I have this to say. It had had a big impact on my life. At first, I did not understand what HIV was, all I'd heard of it was a very bad killing virus and I thought I was going to die at that time, but years were just passing and I looked fresh and health, until I get to know that with it you can still live longer.
Sometime back, I used to hate people and blame them a lot, especially those who were around me when I used to be raped and got infected being a little girl. But later, living with HIV gave me strength to forgive those ones and live with them as a family again.
It was not easy and it is not easy to live with HIV but i am proud of having it because it made me a strong young woman. It has changed me into a strong young woman who values all the people infected and affected ones by HIV. I become a caring and loving lady everywhere I go, especially in my community, trying to give information to them and know how to live with it, all that because I do not want any young girl to suffer in my way. It's painful.
HIV has killed my mum, dad, big sister, uncles and aunties but it made me who I am today, orphan but strong.
Yes, I am living with HIV but i am beautiful and strong young woman who is not scared of facing anything good or bad today. In 2003 I got pregnant and gave birth to a baby boy who is HIV NEGATIVE and that makes me proud. It makes me value all the young positive mothers in the world. HIV made me see that you can still have a good job, good family ad kids.
As a young woman living with HIV I want all young women to hold hands and support each other. For those who are infected like me please tell yourself that you are beautiful and believe in yourself. Those young woman who are NOT infected ad girls please love us, take care of us we need your support. I feel and believe that you can live with HIV longer than you think. I never knew if I will get to 2009 and now is 2011. If people around you make you feel that you are valuable person.
I want to remind all of you that this is my true story, I am now 25 years old and I was told that I have HIV in 1998 its many years now and if you see me ,you can't believe only if i tell you. In 2004 when my mum died I suffered a bit but I got a chance of picking myself up and do volunteer work in community it keeps me going and i love it.
It is very important to understand and live a positive life. I am a mother of a 7 year old boy and a big sister of 2 and a orphan. Do you imagine that this has been easy for me? No! But with the support and believing in myself i am here. I respect, love and care People living with HIV/AIDS
Thank you
Lena Andreas.
Namibia.
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