A pioneer in the Fight Against AIDS
The prevalence of HIV/AIDS
discrimination in Nigeria in conjunction with insufficient medical resources
has made it difficult for rural communities to establish not only systems of
support, but provide essential medical care to People Living with HIV/AIDS
(PLHA). Assumpta Ngozika Reginald (33), founder of 'Womankind Nigeria for
women living with HIV/AIDS' in 2005, did not just become a community advocate
against discrimination, but became a voice for all of those who have been
repressed or discriminated against as a result of their contraction of
HIV/AIDS. Assumpta went before her community and country at great personal
risk through newspaper, radio, and television interviews to discuss life with
HIV/AIDS. She has courageously lent her face to the fight to end ignorance
and intolerance within a male culture that believes HIV/AIDS can be seen on
the face.
Living in a society that is defined by male sexuality,
Nigerian women and girls are at a high risk of infection resulting from
traditional practices of female genital mutilation, wife inheritance,
childhood marriage, and strong expectations of loyalty and obedience toward
husbands – even if it is not reciprocated. In response, Assumpta strives to
increase community understanding while promoting prevention techniques to
those who are not infected. Prior to her work through Womankind Nigeria, Assumpta has worked with the Network of People Living
with HIV/AIDS (NEPWHAN) as national treasurer and mobilization officer.
Assumpta has
dedicated her life to helping PLHA. Her goals: create universal access to
life-sustaining antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), strengthen outreach through
prevention and testing in rural areas, and fight for the prevention of
mother/child transmission of HIV/AIDS. Through Womankind Nigeria, she supports approximately 200 women monthly to have
access to psychological support structures, home based and palliative
care,insecticide treated nets, water purifiers, nutrition supplements, and
life saving skills training. She improves her community daily through positive
information dissemination, counseling, confidential HIV/AIDS testing, and
through her positive presence as a voice for those affected by it.
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