If I kept it to myself - World YWCA

If I kept it to myself
started with the support group, and have been
developing skills and organisations along the
way. In March 2002, I was appointed as the
Indonesian representative for APN+ (Asia Pacific
Network of PLWHA), for three years, and also
selected as a co-chair. I am also a board member
of the Global Network of PLWHA representing
the Asia Pacific region, and have become an
advocate for PLWHA, especially for women in
the region. I am more outspoken outside my
country as it is easier, and my parents are not
yet ready, as they are afraid that it will affect their
business. Despite this, they are very supportive
of my work at home and abroad. It was not easy
at first because of my lack of confidence, but with
training at conferences and other platforms, I
became a speaker. I pay my bills by working part
time and saving on per diems received from my
work travels.
Drug use is the driving factor behind the
increasing HIV prevalence in Indonesia. This
makes our work challenging as families stop
coming to the support group when children
relapse into drug use. Until children are okay,
families are ashamed to come back to the group.
The other problem is that elders do not want to
listen to youth because they believe they have
more experience. The greater involvement of
PLWHA is therefore about involving the affected
community as well. This is why we have to focus
on developing the knowledge of parents about
HIV and AIDS and challenges facing youth.
The Global Coalition on Women and AIDS
(GCWA) is a good initiative because it focuses
on all regions of the world, not only Africa. I
was involved in the US women visits before
with another three women from other regions
in raising awareness for women and AIDS. We
have to continue building it, speaking out and
engaging women for it to be known at country
levels. Similarly, the UNICEF campaign Unite
for Children, Unite Against AIDS is crucial, and
has a strong link to what the GCWA wants to
accomplish, as you cannot separate women
from children. I represented young women of
reproductive age at the launch. It is true that
children are the missing face of AIDS, even
paediatric treatment is lacking. I am now working
as a consultant in helping UNICEF in Indonesia
for the Global Campaign on Children and AIDS,
‘Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS’
Occasionally I have been denied medical care
and may face discrimination at home once I
disclose my status. But I am still standing here. I
am a new face of HIV in Asia.
22
Born: 1981
Country: Indonesia
Organisations: Asia Pacific Network
of People Living with HIV and AIDS
(APN+),
Indonesian PLWHA National Network,
Global Network of People Living with
HIV and AIDS (GNP+), International
Treatment Preparedness, South East
Asia Treatment Preparedness
Campaigns for: support for PLWHA
and their families, and an end to
discrimination faced by HIV
positive injecting drug users