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Created: Sunday, 21 April 2024
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Tahmina Khaidarova got married in accordance with the cultural traditions of her family — her parents chose her cousin as her husband. She rarely saw her husband, who worked in another country and returned home to Tajikistan for short visits once a year. When her little daughter became seriously ill and died, she hoped to get pregnant again to ease the pain of loss. During a medical examination, she was diagnosed with HIV infection. Her husband died soon after due to AIDS.
Today, Ms. Khaidarova is the Director of the Network of Women Living with HIV in Tajikistan (TNW Plus), which trains women on HIV-related issues, fights for their rights and tries to break the vicious circle of stigma against women living with HIV. She overcame self-stigma and became a leader in the fight for the rights of women living with HIV in Tajikistan.
Ms. Khaidarova explains that women, even knowing about the risk of HIV infection from their migrant husbands, often cannot talk to them about using a condom. "I understand how serious the problem is, but I can't ask my husband to use a condom, he won't understand," one woman told Ms. Khaidarova.
Women living with HIV in Tajikistan tell their stories of discrimination. About how they can be expelled from their home by their in-laws, and they may be prohibited from seeking medical services, including antiretroviral therapy and treatment for tuberculosis. They are also often subjected to domestic violence by their husband, who may kick them out of the house with their children. In the event of the death of their husband, they may be subjected to violence and ill-treatment by his family, especially in rural areas.
When women living with HIV seek help, they may face a new problem - stigma and discrimination from health workers. Women are told that they will not be able to have children, or that they should only marry a man living with HIV, or that they should not get married and have sex at all.
"Stigma and discrimination against women living with HIV has devastating consequences. This can prevent them from accessing the necessary medical services, separate families and seriously affect their ability to live a normal life," Ms. Khaidarova said. "Stigma and discrimination must be stopped and stopped today!"
The Government of Tajikistan recognizes the need to combat stigma and discrimination against women in general and women living with HIV. The topic of women's rights has been included as one of the priorities in the national development strategy. The new national AIDS program for 2021-2025 includes a separate section on reducing stigma and discrimination against women living with HIV.
To draw attention to the problem of HIV-related discrimination in the family, society and, often, in medical institutions, Ms. Khaidarova took part in the social media campaign #Contrary. Based on real stories, the Instagram campaign tells about various aspects of the lives of women living with HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, challenges stereotypes and myths and asserts the right of these women to dignity and respect.
What unites all the heroines of the #Despite campaign is that at a critical moment in their lives, their loved ones, relatives, women's organizations or communities supported them, and now they themselves not only challenge the stereotypes of society, but also help others.
"I told my story to help women who are facing the same problems today. I firmly believe that together we can break the vicious cycle of stigma against women living with HIV in Tajikistan. We must cope with our own fear in order to fight stigma and discrimination in society," Haidarova said.
