Lagos — Women living with the HIV/AIDS virus have expressed concern over the level of stigmatisation in their homes, offices, and the general society.

The view was expressed at a one day workshop organised by the Ajegunle Community Project (ACP) on advocacy for women living with HIV/AIDS, which held recently at Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area (LGA), Lagos.

At the event, a person living with HIV/AIDS patient, Mrs. Eunice Shogbetu, disclosed that her grown-up children have abandoned her, leaving only the young ones to keep her company.

Shogbetu, the Executive Director of Widows of Grace, a Lagos- based non governmental organisation, said her older children openly told her that she was no longer their mother, deserted her and went to live abroad; a situation which made her to weep.

She told other participants at the workshop that life has been so difficult, with no source of income; and thanked the Widows of Grace which feeds them, buys their drugs, and gives them beverages.

The woman also thanked the international organisation, Medicine Sans Frontier (MSF), for free treatment, free drugs, free test among others; and for the impact of their four year project, which has just been concluded for return to Canada.

"We wish that MSF had plans for us before leaving because we do not know how and when we would get such treatment again. Even the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) are not giving us such treatment. We do not know what would become of those that cannot afford their drugs, and how their lives would be like", she lamented.

Shogbetu appealed to LASUTH to put more effort in treating them most especially in their test and drugs, and to make this a priority.

Speaking to THISDAY, another person living with HIV/AIDS patient, Mrs. Tunde Ababi of Hope Worldwide, a graduate and former banker, said she cannot understand the stigmatisation in the society, since, according to her, they work harder than the people who are HIV-negative.

Ababi said as persons living with HIV/AIDS, they have had several opportunities of going to places and meeting various people, and that they know their rights.

"If the government does not want us to work in the offices, then they should be giving something to do. We are stranded because of stigmatisation in the society. Our husbands and children have disowned and deserted us. And the HIV/AIDS positive women are scared of disclosing to their husbands that they have HIV/AIDS", she stated.

After the positive persons shared their views, volunteers were given opportunities of suggesting ways HIV/AIDS can be reduced. They kicked against people who patronise Mallams who cut their nails and shave their moustaches. They also talked about using of razor blades for tribal marks and home service child delivery.

Speaking to THISDAY, ACP's Head of Programmes, Mrs. Olushola Akai, said her organisation has organised series of programmes that would improve the standard of women, especially at the grassroots level.

"We have been sensitising the community in general. We are working with women living with HIV/AIDS. We believe that these women are stigmatised and discriminated against, due to the testimonies that they give us", Akai said.

She said that such programmes would increase their life span; and that instead of the HIV-positive dying now, they would die later, thus prolonging their lives.

Akai advised individuals, NGOs, and other stakeholders to show the people living with HIV/AIDS love, give them clothes and what they would hold on to for their income; and not to discriminate against them.

She appealed to government to be considerate on policies placed on these individuals in corporate organisations; and that they should assist by giving them micro-credit, building their capacity, and showing them love.

The programme manager advised singles to abstain from sex or use condoms, and that the married should be faithful to their partners.

The positive people were urged not to feel rejected; to associate with people, to attend social gatherings; and to endeavour that they take their drugs, eat healthy food, and be able to overcome stigmatisation/discrimination.