Imphal, Jan 16 : Underscoring the need for amending the State policy on HIV/AIDS to incorporate specific and adequate provisions related to the issues and problems of HIV affected women and children, a two-day consultation on the Impact of HIV/AIDS on women and children in Manipur has begun from today at State Guest House here.
The consultation is being organised jointly by the Manipur State Commission for Women and the National Commission for Women.
Participating in the consultation as one of the resource persons, joint secretary of SASO Ch Bangkim pointed out that the HIV/AIDS affected women and children in Manipur have been facing lot of difficulties in their struggle for survival as no specific provisions have not been included at the time of formulating the State AIDS Policy by the Manipur State AIDS Control Society in 1996.As a consequent of this, HIV/AIDS affected women and children are being excluded from the targeted intervention programmes of MACS.
Moreover, among the Drop-in-Centres that have been set up in Manipur, there has been none to cater to the needs of the HIV affected women nor there has been counsellor for the HIV affected children, he disclosed.
Maintaining that with the only medical support being provided to them by MACS, HIV affected women and children would not be able to overcome the socio-economic problem and the associated stigma and discrimination in the State, Bangkim said that it is high time to amend the existing State AIDS policy so as to incorporate specific provisions for them.
Besides MACS, it is also time for other Departments concerned to think over this matter, he added.
The inaugural function of the consultation was attended by Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Dr S Budhichandra Singh as chief guest and member of National Commission for Women Wamsuk Syiem as special guest.
Speaking at the occasion, Wamsuk Syiem noted that even though the Manipuri women have excelled themselves in various fields like sports, culture and other performing arts, they have also been affected by HIV/AIDS which is being considered as a great challenge to public health.
Gender equality and empowerment would only help in reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS problem among the women and children in Manipur, Wamsuk opined.
Chairperson of Manipur State Commission for Women Dr Ch Jamini explained that the consultation is being organised to find out the problems being faced by HIV/AIDS affected women and children in Manipur so as to come up with necessary recommendations.
In the technical session of the consultation conducted with Dr Khomdon Lisam as the moderator, Assistant Professor Dr L Ranjit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, RIMS, Project Director of MACS Dr Pramod and State Project Co-ordinator of MLFA H Sushilkumar presented papers on various related issues as resource persons.