'Women empowerment will boost AIDS awareness'

GUWAHATI: Living on the edge is a way of life for some rural women in Cachar, Kamrup (metro), Nagaon and Karimganj districts as they remain vulnerable to AIDS, a fact highlighted by Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS) here on International Women's Day. The ASACS event aimed at adding a gender perspective on HIV/AIDS awareness and was organized on this year's theme of 'Equalization of Women and Development for All'.
Assam has witnessed an increase in adult HIV prevalence from 0.04 per cent in 2007 to 0.07 per cent in 2011. As per ASACS estimates, Assam registered 2,408 new HIV infections in 2011 and as per NACO's 2012 technical report, the annual growth rate of new HIV infections was 2.5 per cent from 1,219 in 2007 to 2,408 in 2011. ASACS stated that Cachar, Kamrup (metro), Nagaon and Karimganj districts have a high proportion of HIV cases.
"Society's mindset prevents us from talking openly about such issues. Women are rampantly abused even now. Some are unaware that they might be carrying HIV through no fault of their own. The onus should be on empowering women through education and economic independence," said Jahnabi Goswami of the Indian Network of Positive People.
"It is time we focused on education and empowerment of women," said Swapananil Baruah, commissioner and secretary, health and family welfare department.