Young women living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda decry stigma and discrimination

Faith Nantaba is a 21-year-old young girl living with HIV in Uganda.

Nantaba was born HIV positive, she is privileged to be the representative of Adolescent girls and young women living with HIV in Uganda.

She is also the Programs Officer Uganda Network of Young People Living with HIV.

Nantaba says that the Third African Girls and Young Women Festival organized by the African Women in Development and Communication (FEMNET) in Nairobi has been very encouraging and impactful to her.

“I’m now knowledgeable on issues of women and young girls’ human rights and also how to advocate for young girls’ rights out there who are not aware,” adds Nantaba.

She adds that having been in programs that are young women centered has enabled her to advocate for leadership participation for girls and young women living with HIV.

She says that as young women living with HIV in Uganda, they face a lot of challenges.

“Stigma and discrimination in our community and society is our biggest challenge, they discriminate against us until we find it difficult to associate and disclose with them,” adds Nantaba.

Finances are also another challenge facing young girls living with HIV, this is because when someone is on drugs like Anti retroviral Virus (ARVS)she/he needs good health.

“We are forced to work extra hard so that we can get enough money to eat a balanced diet,” adds Nantaba.

Nantaba adds that she is forced not to disclose her status sometimes because of stigmatization from the community and her place of work.

“We find it hard to associate with the community and also disclose our status because they will discriminate against us,” adds Nantaba.

She encourages young women and girls to be who they are and speak for themselves.

“Be who you are, speak for yourself because you have your rights, and you can lead no one to discriminate against you,” reiterates Nantaba.

Nantaba is currently in college pursuing her higher-level education and she has stood her ground not to be discriminated against.

Source: Africa Science News