Be a Leader

TAKE THE LEAD

This year the theme of “TAKE THE LEAD” builds on last year theme of accountability to stop AIDS by keeping the promise. All of us are called to be leaders of our family, friends, colleagues and community. Take the lead and talk about HIV/AIDS with your family, friends, colleagues and community. Open your welcoming arms of love to people and families living with HIV/AIDS. Be a partner in providing care and support to PLWHA. Advocate proactively for the rights of PLWHA.

HIV/AIDS and the Darjeeling Hills

The Darjeeling Hills are a highly vulnerable area with regards to HIV/AIDS. The backwardness of the region leading to high migration, intra-venous drug users, floating sex worker population, awareness focused in urban areas only are cross cutting factors resulting in the vulnerability.

Existing data on the HIV/AIDS status is questioned by experts. They point to several compelling factors to support their opinion:

• Very few people opt for testing due to lack of awareness and fear of a social scrutiny. Moreover, although blood donations are screened, donors are not notified of their HIV status.
• Awareness programmes only cater to the urban populace and lack a strong connection to the rural populace of Darjeeling.
• The VCCTC is located in the urban areas with limited access and to the rural population
• The poor economy of the region and massive unemployment has given rise to a large migrant labourer population and sex workers.
• High risk groups such as intra-venous drug users, drivers, migrant workers, flying sex workers leaving and coming into Darjeeling, have limited access to HIV/AIDS awareness programs.
• We also have a large male population in the defense who are away from home for long periods of time
• Most institutions do not impart sex education to pupils, let alone HIV/AIDS awareness

Societal Response:

• Denial – A state of denial exists in society and the individual. The society has yet to accept HIV/AIDS as its issue. This state of denial pushes HIV/AIDS to the margins and necessary actions are relegated as an unimportant issue. HIV/AIDS is a developmental issue affecting all of us, yet it is never discussed as one, in all walks of life. At an individual level, most people look at HIV/AIDS as something that will not affect him or herself, indulging in high risk behaviour or not accepting positive people.
• Stigma and Discrimination – This state of denial, the image that is created around HIV/AIDS and myths and misconception of HIV/AIDS has led to a very high stigma on HIV/AIDS. The stigma prevails in the Darjeeling hills too denying the right to a dignified life for the people and families living with HIV/AIDS.

Results of existing situation of HIV/AIDS in Darjeeling

• People and families living with HIV/AIDS are denied a dignified life
• HIV/AIDS gets hidden
• Rapid spread of HIV/AIDS

TAKE THE LEAD

This year the theme of “TAKE THE LEAD” builds on last year theme of accountability to stop AIDS by keeping the promise. All of us are called to be leaders of our family, friends, colleagues and community. Take the lead and talk about HIV/AIDS with your family, friends, colleagues and community. Open your welcoming arms of love to people and families living with HIV/AIDS. Be a partner in providing care and support to PLWHA. Advocate proactively for the rights of PLWHA.

Be the change you want to see in the world - Mahatma Gandhi

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle and the life of the candle will not be shortened. - Lord Buddha