Being positive

Being diagnosed with AIDS isn't a death sentence and socialite Parmeshwar Godrej is doing all she can to drive home the point. Spreading awareness about the pandemic and raising her voice against the stigma attached to it, the chairman of the Heroes Project has just returned from the recently concluded Faith In Action Summit - 2010. She talks to CS about making a difference:


u00a0WHO: Parmeshwar Godrej
u00a0WHAT: Spreading awareness about AIDS and HIV

Speaking out
There needs to be much higher HIV awareness--not only in India, but also in all corners of our world. We're almost three decades into this pandemic, but there is still far too much ignorance surrounding what is one of the greatest global challenges ever. On the one hand, we collectively know a lot more about HIV and AIDS given the scientific and medical advances made in recent years, but on the other hand, when it comes to truly educating ourselves about the issue beyond the mere basics, we have a lot to learn and absorb.

Lending a helping hand
HIV and AIDS awareness is linked to how open we are as a society to receiving messages that many continue to shy away from. This includes candid information about sex and how HIV is spread. The urgent need is to empower women and give them the freedom to choose the course of their lives. On the flip side, the men need to take responsibility for their actions. The governments too need to strengthen national and state frameworks to combat HIV and AIDS, and underscore the importance of advocacy and education.u00a0

It would also help if the private sector inculcated HIV awareness programs in a thorough and proactive way and educated their workforce about the epidemic. The private sector must help reduce stigma and discrimination against HIV by incorporating tough rules and regulations that make it impossible for those who are infected to lose their jobs and rights.
u00a0
All the evidence in the world indicates that HIV positive individuals can contribute equally well to the workplace and society at large.u00a0 It is time to end workplace stigma and discrimination once and for all.u00a0 There is no point having legal frameworks in place to protect those with HIV if these rules are flouted and compromised on, be it in the public or the private sectors.

The other side...
Unfortunately we as human beings are a complacent lot.u00a0 It's always 'somebody else's problem - HIV can never happen to me.' This is true in a number of situations, not just when it comes to HIV.u00a0 Experience all too often is the most powerful teacher, but in the case of HIV it often is a lesson learnt too late.u00a0 One needs education and awareness well in time so as to help prevent the infection. Ignorance is never bliss, and this is especially true when it comes to HIV.