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As part of the celebration of International Women's Day on March 8, 2020, we conducted interviews with three activists who dedicated their work to women and HIV.
We talked with Takhmina Khaidarova. Tahmina works for the Tajik NGO "Tajik Network of Women Living with HIV" in Dushanbe.
Tell me a little about yourself: What's your name? Where do you live? Where do you work and in what field are you active?
My name is Tahmina. Tahmina is a female name of ancient Iranian origin, "the name of the mother of the hero", translated into Russian means "brave", "brave" and is common in Central Asia and Iran. I am from Tajikistan, I live in the city of Dushanbe. I work for the public organization "Tajik Network of Women living with HIV". My activity is to promote the rights and interests of women living with HIV in Tajikistan.
Why are you doing this?
The issue of women and HIV is acute in Tajikistan, society and including decision makers think that all women living with HIV are women of easy virtue - sex workers or women whom God has punished for something. The second important topic that affects me in order to continue working in this field is the Stigma and Discrimination against PLHIV in society. Most of all, women who have been infected with HIV from their migrant husbands, people who inject drugs and other vulnerable groups, sexually. These women are subjected to daily stigma and discrimination in the family, in medical institutions, by law enforcement agencies, etc.
What exactly are you doing in terms of activism?
I work with women living with HIV, organize various trainings, initiate various studies related to Women and HIV. I am engaged in advocacy, I openly talk about women's issues at various levels, including in the media. One example is conducting a survey and preparing an alternative thematic report in the context of HIV. I spoke at the 71st UN meeting on CEDAW (ed. - Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women) and our activism was taken into account and our main recommendations were transmitted to our government for their solution.
In 2019, with the support of AFEW International, for the first time in Tajikistan, women living with HIV themselves conducted a study on the topic "Key issues of sexual and reproductive health of women living with HIV in Tajikistan through the prism of human rights." This is our first experience, and we have coped with it. I also keep in touch with all State and non-state bodies on the issue of women and HIV.
What do you want to change and where do you see the gaps?
I want to change society's understanding of HIV infection and women. HIV is no longer a verdict, it is a chronic disease that can be controlled with ART. You can live happily ever after with HIV. The second is the decriminalization of HIV at the legislative level. Because today we have some gaps in the Criminal Code, the Administrative Code, the Family Code and the Health Code that limit the opportunities of people living with HIV, including this has a very strong impact on the lives of women and girls living with HIV.
What positive changes have you managed to achieve in your work?
This is something that, at the national level and beyond, we, women living with HIV, are recognized. With the help of our CEDAW report, we have ensured that our voice has been heard and the State has received an HIV-related recommendation. We have also conducted research on SRH (ed. - sexual and reproductive health), and are now actively promoting our recommendations so that they will be included in the National HIV Response Program in the period 2021-2025.
What was the highlight of your activism?
In 2018, when I participated in the 71st session of the UN on CEDAW and thanks to my speech on women's issues in the context of HIV, the state received a recommendation on Decriminalization of HIV, so after receiving the recommendation, I felt that I was not working in vain and promoting our interests.
What positive changes in the field of women's rights would you like to achieve by 2030?
I want to achieve the decriminalization of HIV in our country, so that all people, regardless of their social status, are on an equal footing in receiving services, so that there are no obstacles in their personal lives and in starting a family, so that people are not oppressed because of their HIV status.
