Reducing HIV Vulnerability among Rural and Island Women in Asia and the Pacific

UNAIDS

Distinguished women leaders of the Asia Pacific region issued a statement of commitment on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, especially as it affects rural and island women, at a UNAIDS special symposium highlighting the Regional Steering Committee on the Advancement of Rural and Island Women for Asia and the Pacific (RSC-AP). In his introductory remarks, Peter Piot of UNAIDS captured the tone of the event by stating, "no money can buy or replace leadership". Emphasising the importance of public advocacy by prominent national figures, the panel of distinguished first ladies discussed the current situation in their home countries as well as strategies for addressing the special issues faced by rural women and girls.

Her Excellency Dato Seri Dr Siti Hasmah binti Haji Mohd Ali, the First Lady of Malaysia and the chair of the session, outlined the history of the Regional Steering Committee. The organisation is the regional component of the International Steering Committee, made up of first ladies from around the world, which grew from the 1992 Geneva Summit for the Economic Advancement of Rural Women. RSC-AP works in three areas: poverty reduction, health, and decision-making empowerment for women, especially rural and island women.

His Excellency Dr Siti Hasmah stressed the connections between economic empowerment and public health, as well as the importance of training and micro-credit for rural women. She emphasised that rural women's impoverishment must be seen not only in economic terms, but also in terms of education, human development, and the limits placed on rural and island women by often conservative family structures.

Her Excellency Madam Azadsurengyn Oyunbileg, First Lady of Mongolia, reported that although Mongolia only has three documented cases of HIV infection to date, it has witnessed a striking increase in STIs, especially among young women. While outlining her country's national strategy for HIV/AIDS prevention, she pointed out that it is "not a health problem alone, but a national problem".

Her Royal Highness Princess Nanasipauu Tukuaho, the Special Envoy of Tonga and wife of the Prime Minister, stated, "HIV/AIDS is a development catastrophe". It disproportionately affects poor and rural women, and that "women often bear the brunt of social criticism" for the epidemic in rural and island societies.

Her Excellency Professor Mariam Akaeva, the First Lady of Kyrgystan, placed the emphasis on the humanitarian, ethical and moral aspects of the epidemic. She singled out the issues facing the children of vulnerable women and discussed her country's prevention plan, which focuses on sex workers, IDUs and refugees.

Her Excellency Adi Salaseini Kavu Uluivuda, First Lady of Fiji, discussed the effects of the epidemic on the state health provision systems of her country, and made a call for affordable drugs worldwide. While the stated purpose of the symposium was to spotlight the importance of public advocacy by important national figures, two additional themes emerged clearly. The first was the importance of viewing HIV/AIDS through the lens of the global feminisation of poverty and the negative impact of policies and programs that neglect rural, poor and island women. The second, paradoxically, was the limitation of public advocacy.

HRH Princess Nanasipauu Tukuaho called on her colleagues not just to advocate, but also actually to initiate policy changes.