DUSHANBE, May 23, 2011, Asia-Plus – The first national forum of women living with HIV in Tajikistan will take place in Dushanbe on May 23.
The forum that will be held under the motto of “Women of Tajikistan for Future without AIDS” is initiated by leaders and members of the Network of Women Living with HIV in Tajikistan that was established in 2010 under support of the Mental Health and HIV/AIDS Center, Act Central Asia and AIDS Foundation East-West (AFEW).
The Network now reportedly numbers more 45 women living with HIV. More than 20 of them will take part in the event. Representatives of relevant government bodies, NGOs and international organizations will also attend the event. The presentation program and reports have been prepared by leaders of the Network of Women Living with HIV in Tajikistan.
The main objective of the forum is in encouraging women living with HIV to actively participate in the process of discussion and adoption of decisions on significant issues in society and initiating the beginning of dialogue on preparing an alternative CEDAW report.
As of January 1, 2011, 2,857 HIV sufferers were officially registered in Tajikistan and 577 of them are women.
