The International Community of Women Living with HIV Zambia (ICW Zambia) released a press statement last week (13 February) on the need for their government to look at the sexual and reproductive health rights of women living with HIV.
Here is the statement in full:
ICW Zambia members demanded that a specific policy on SRH [sexual and reproductive health] and Women Living with HIV (WLHIV) should be put in place. They also demanded that SRH policy for WLHIV should be backed by programmes which will be supported by budgets and monitoring plans. They want the policy to cover the following SRH:
- Cervical cancer and other reproductive cancers
- Maternal mortality (which is high in WLHIV)
- PMTCT [preventing mother to child transmission]
- Contraceptives
- Treatment of STIs
- Fertility treatment
- Violence against WLHIV
- The right of WLHIV to reproduce without prejudice, by not being forced or coerced into sterilisation.
ICW Zambia Members also demanded that SRH information should be made available and be translated into local languages as this would allow those who were unable to read English to have a choice of languages to choose from, which would allow them to understand whatever information.
ICW Zambia Members feel that there is need for ART [antiretroviral] services to be provided in all clinics to reduce walking distances. WLHIV want ART services which will consider the needs of age, reproductive desires, body image and body weight which will be women friendly. WLHIV want Public Health Centers that will respect their dignity as [not just as] women but as women living with HIV.
They also asked government to look at including ART services as they build the 650 health posts it is planning to build…so that their [WLHIV] health needs, such as screening for cervical cancer [and] maternal mortality, [are included]. This should be part of the health systems strengthening and resources.
ICW Zambia asks the government to reserve 30% of the land in Zambia in areas which are accessible to women living with HIV and serviced with electricity, water and ART facilities.