Soudamini : a vision of empowerment for HIV positive network of women with children.
Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. B10303)
Marne U Soudamini Network, Mumbai, India
Scares about the spread of HIV coupled with interventions targeted at people who may be seen as reservoirs of infection can lead to stigmatization of people living with HIV and may further marginalize vulnerable communities like women with children which account to almost half the HIV infected population. HIV diagnosis emphasis the feelings of isolation stigmatization fear rejection by friends and family as well as exclusion from employment housing and educational opportunities. Such fears often founded on local cases of discrimination lead to a reluctance amongst people living with HIV especially women to reveal their serostatus. This has led to the formation of self help groups to provide support and strength to members. Groups are a practical response to social isolation. Self help groups offer the opportunity for companionship support and a chance to share experiences and discuss problems and rights openly and develop opportunities to improve quality of life. One such major unique evolvement is a self help women's movement - Soudamini: a women's with children network of empowerment and income generation programme which has helped HIV positive women and their children in the state of Maharashtra to feel the positive hope in health and wealth through psycho-social, and economic upliftment programs, one of its kind in India....
Keywords: AEGIS, HIV Seropositivity, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Social Support, Human Rights, Population, Demography, Health Planning, Family Characteristics, Interpersonal Relations, Family, Health, India, United States, Child, Humans, Female, economics, organization & administration
