Time to Applaud

Submitted by rdcbar about 1 year ago

International Women’s Day 2009 – a day to recognise and applaud the achievements of women world wide. Too often the world forgets to recognise and congratulate the huge accomplishments of the world’s female HIV positive population yet they have kept the world together. Through times of hardship and despair, women have kept on fighting. They have remained strong and put others first, consistently caring and loving.

So many women when newly diagnosed with HIV instantly think of their children, partners, friends, family, neighbours and the list goes on. “How will they cope?”, “Who will care for my children if I get sick?”, “How will he react?” But who is there to look after these women? From deep within, women at times of immense suffering conjure up extreme strength and find the will to carry on and put the needs of others first. They keep on smiling even if they are crying on the inside.

This quote from Jensine (founder of World Pulse magazine) captures the extreme faith, devotion and determination that unites women world wide, “I have smoothed the skirts of dolls sewn by HIV+ women survivors of the Rwandan genocide and felt the love and hope in every stitch. I have spoken with women who know they are dying, but are somehow still holding their families together. I have seen their determination to live, the power of their potential, even when their villages are collapsing around them”.

It would be a great day if International Women’s Day could be a day where every HIV positive woman could put her feet up and just rest. Close her eyes and listen to the soothing sounds of nothingness. But we all know this won’t happen because women will want to keep the world turning. They will remain busy with their many roles as nurses, carers, chefs, dieticians, cleaners, child minders, accountants, etc. They will remain strong for everyone else.

This International Women’s Day, almost one hundred years since it began, let’s all take a moment to recognise the great work carried out every second of every day by all of the HIV positive women in the world – past, present and future. Let’s recognise their accomplishments and admire their humbleness. Let us honour these women of the world.

Keywords: HIV international plhiv women Womens Day

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