Posts filed under 'Gender'
by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
The 3rd Annual Nahammal Kasipillai Memorial Oration was delivered on January 16th 2008 at Sivananda Nilayam, Saiva Mangaiyar Kazhagam, Wellawatte.
Deshabandu Nahammal Kasipillai, as Principal dedicated over thirty years in building up one of the finest institutions of learning in Sri Lanka today. She passed away on 8th of December 2005.
[Ms. Nahammal Kasipillai Served as Principal of Saiva Mangaiyar Kazhagam 1937 to 1969, National leader Transcendental meditation-1975 to 1995 and she was honoured with Deshabandu award from President of Sri Lanka, in 1993]
The educator is remembered for many of her contributions to learning that span over generations of students, parents and teachers and leaving behind a legacy that is praised of embodying “a purity of purpose, a perseverance of effort, and a passion for service”.
The event was chaired by Retired Supreme Court Judge C.V.Wigeswaran and the Memorial oration was delivered by Ms. Sivanandini Duraiswamy.
Aaranie Karthikeyan, recalled the lifelong teacher and matriarch’s sound guidance to all those to sought it, in her vote of thanks at the Memorial Oration.
[Portrait of Ms. Nahammal Kasipillai, at Sivananda Nilayam, on Jan 16, 2008]
Full Text of Vote of thanks, delivered by Aaranie Karthikeyan:
Chairperson Justice C.V.Wigneswaran, Keynote speaker Mrs Sivanandini Duraiswamy, The Principal, Staff and students of Siva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam, President of The Past Pupils Association Ms Sarojini Kanendran, committee members, members of the Alumni and past students, Uncle Thilakan, family members, relatives, friends and well wishers of late Miss.Nahammal Kasipilliai.
Good evening,
It is an honour and privilege as a grand niece of Late Ms Kasipillai whom we fondly called Kasi granny/ or Periyamma to propose the vote of thanks today. Before I set I about the task of expressing our sincere thanks to those organising this evening’s memorial lecture, I ask that you indulge me in recounting a few cherished memories I have of her.
I would like to quote a particular verse from the Thirukurral Chapter 45 “Periyaarai Thunai Kodal”.
It translates to “it will be the rarest of rare good fortunes if though can secure to thyself the kinship of a worthy person”.
Accordingly from a tender age I was always conscious of the rare privilege that was bestowed upon me in the form of Periyamma’s close guidance, love and friendship. Her life long commitment to the empowerment of women was apparent to me both in her conversations and the countless persons who would visit her at her Vivekananda road residence for personal advice, and reassurance. A sound listener in her role as counsellor, she provided non-judgmental and sound guidance to all those to sought it. As a mentor to many, she was quick to identify the talents and capacities of all those who came before her, always encouraging of efforts demonstrating discipline, perseverance and hard work.
She would often quote to me Poet Bharathiyar’s words on the role of women in society.
My awe and respect for her life’s work took form in an essay I wrote for my Grade 8 Tamil class on the 15th July 2001 titled ‘Naan Virumbiya Periyaar’. I don’t wish to bore you with the entire contents of the essay, but just an excerpt demonstrating my admiration and appreciation of her personality at that age.
At 13 years of age, these words were a tribute to her virtues of discipline, ethics, and uncompromising stance on perseverance, hard work and honest intention. I am indeed very fortunate to have enjoyed the privilege and benefit of being a member of Ms Kasipillai’s intergenerational family. It has enabled me to appreciate and hopefully embody the maturity, wisdom and experience demonstrated by Miss. Kasipillai with regard to the essence of life.
At this juncture I believe it appropriate to express our sincere thanks on behalf of the Kasipillai family to the following persons, who have enabled us to commemorate Miss. Nahammal Kasipillai, by organising this memorial lecture on her 92nd Birthday anniversary today.
I’d like to thank Justice Wigneswaran for chairing today’s proceedings. Your thought provoking words on the role of women through South Asian history, and the transition from a community based identity to an individual rights based identity, is a topic that dominates much of the contemporary global discourse on human rights regime.
I’d like to thank Ms. Sivanandini Duraiswamy for her keynote speech. Your keynote address on the multiple roles played by Hindu women from ancient times to date, their potential and capacity which had been given a pride of place in Hinduism, conferring a dignity, respect and freedom for women, the reasons that have led to the deterioration of their status and the need for women to become agents of change-aid us to challenge the status quo, empower ourselves and to chalk out new course based on Hindu values. You have very succinctly stated how these obstacles could be overcome by the adoption and practice of Hindu values, UN declarations on women and principles of good governance by individuals, society, state and the international community. These words are a personification of the values and principles Ms Kasipillai stood for. You can be assured that your words were reaffirming to most of us here today, of our inherent capabilities and capacities to combat the challenges of our day-to-day lives.
Thank you Mrs Sarojini Kanendran for your welcoming words and nostalgic memories of Ms Kasipillai’s time as your teacher and principal.
I’d also like to express our sincere gratitude to Saiva Mangaiyar Kazhagam, the Principal and her staff, Mrs.Sivanandini Duraiswamy, and the Past Pupils Association lead by Sarojini Kanendran and her team who were instrumental in undertaking the necessary arrangements to make this event a memorable and successful one.
And last, but not least we appreciate the presence of all those who have participated in today’s memorial lecture, despite their heavy daily schedules, particularly during times of great uncertainty and concern due to the prevailing security situation in the country.
I’d like to conclude with a few words from Swami Vivekandana on servant leadership, which I believe articulate, the essence of Ms Kassipillai’s legacy.
“One must be a servant of servants and must accommodate a thousand minds. There must not be a shade of jealousy or selfishness, then you are a leader”.
Miss. Kassipillai embodied all these and more in her life’s work-a purity of purpose, a perseverance of effort, and a passion for service. She was a shining example for every one of us striving to find real value in life. May her blessings be with us.
Thank you.
______________________
Email:dushi.pillai@gmail.com
January 24th, 2008
by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
Celebrating coming of age-puberty, it’s a joyous occasion for the family.
Puberty means the girl transforms physically and emotionally. When girls attain puberty, the day and the time are marked by her mother. The first bath on that day is given by her ” Thai Mama” or maternal Uncle. Then she is kept in isolation for few days, and fed with nutritional food such as gingerly oil, “Kali” or pasty pudding made out of black gram, and sesame seeds mixed with jaggery. The puberty is celebrated with a feast on the seventh day by the Tamils. During earlier days, the girls were not allowed to see any males during their isolation period. They were kept indoors. The particular girl is given special care during this period.
The ceremony which takes place on the seventh day is called “Samaththiya Sadangu ” or “Ruthu Sadangu” or “Poopunitha Neeraattu Vizha”. It is also known as “coming of age”.
The girl is dressed glamorously with gold jewelleries and have a traditional rituals carried out by the elderly women in the family and village. Most of the Hindu rituals are carried out by the males, but only women carry out the rituals for this particular ceremony. The girl gets her first saree, which is made out of silk. The girl wears the saree for the first time on this day. Eleven different types of “Aararththi’ are perfomed, while she stands. The close relatives are invited for the ceremony, and shower her with gifts. Mostly gold jewelleries are gifted to her on this day. Some remote villages in Jaffna have a little different way of celebrating puberty. Some villagers present her with Green coloured gifts, which are to invite fertility. Special traditional sweets are made and served for the ceremony.
Fifty years ago the puberty ceremonies were not given prominence. The ceremony took place on the platform of marriage before tying the “Thaali”- traditional symbol of a Hindu marriage.
Although traditions and cultures have changed due to modernisation, the ceremonies are still strictly followed in certain parts of the country. Ceremonies and festivities keep our ties closer to our culture and tradition.
It is also said that, it has been a tradition earlier her maternal Uncle’s son is proposed after attaining puberty, and gets married to the girl later. Traditional-minded families may force the girl to leave school, once she reaches puberty, and give her in marriage.
Ahranyakumari Kumaraguruparan’s puberty ceremony was held at Hotel Sapphire, Colombo on December 24th 2007.
She was dressed in mauve colour silk saree; gold jewelleries glittered; hair was plaited and flower garlands tied to it; and she was delighted. Her relatives and friends were invited; they blessed and wished her for prosperity.
Traditionally set “Kumbam” is kept at the entrance to welcome the invitees
“Kolam”-traditional design is drawn in front of “Thiruthongal”
“Thiruthongal” is made of variety of flowers. “Thiruthongal” is a canopy of hanging flower garlands and thatched roof with flowers woven with each other. The girl who attained age will be standing under the ” Thiruthongal” and accept the rituals. It has been a tradition in Jaffna to use “Thiruthongal” for puberty ceremonies and “Manavarai” for weddings.
Gorgeously dressed young girls paraded with “Kuththu Vilakku”
Ahranyakumari Kumaraguruparan wears veil before the rituals are performed
“Kumbam” is given to her to hold. It’s a symbol of God decorated with coconut, mango leaves and flowers, which depict prosperity
“Aararthi” of “Koththu” is performed
“Koththu” is given to her to hold after the “Aararthi”
“Koththu” is a traditional measuring cup. It’s filled with paddy, “Kaambu Saththam”-knife is stuck still and a whole lemon is fixed on the point of the knife. “Koththu” depicts wholesome and prosperity. It is a key aspect of puberty ceremony.
“Aararthi” of “Puttu” is performed
Elderly women perform an “Aararththi” of milk rice
“Aararththi” of “Kali”-pasty pudding made of black gram
“Aararththi” of traditional sweets
Ahranyakumari’s maternal aunts performing an “Aararththi” with coconuts
Rice and curry “Aararththi’ is being performed
An “Aararththi” of a tray of fruits being performed
Sprinkling of flower petals by her maternal and paternal aunts after performing an “Aararththi”
A traditional crispy snack called “Paal Rotty”is crushed into pieces to drive away the evils
Fresh Margosa leaves are fed to get rid of evils
Ahranyakumari’s parents garland her
Ceremony’s finishing“Aararththi”being performed
“Pottu” is placed on her forehead
She is getting the blessings from her maternal uncle and aunt
“Koththu” is being handed over by her maternal uncle to her parents
Blessings by her parents
Greetings from grandmother
Gift from grandparents
Happy and merry Ahranyakumari
______________________
Email:dushi.pillai@gmail.com
December 25th, 2007
by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
Puttlam district is situated on the coastal belt of North Western Province of Sri Lanka. Its total population is 8,14,000. Sinhala population is 5,85,000, Muslim population is 1,49,000, and Tamil population is 80,000. There are currently 75,000 Internally Displaced Persons from Northern Province in Puttlam. These statistics are from a survey carried out by the District Secretariat of Puttlam.
The Muslims of Jaffna were forced to leave by the LTTE in October 1990. LTTE made announcements over loud speakers that, Muslim should assemble at Jinnah Grounds of Osmania College by twelve noon on October 30th 1990. And the LTTE went from house to house, and made sure they attend the meeting. The message was conveyed to the Muslims of Jaffna by the then LTTE commander of Jaffna Anjaneyar (who was also known as Ilamparithy), all the Muslims in Jaffna peninsula have to leave in two hours. This was an order by the high command, and neither more explanation was given nor questions were answered. Any Muslim who fails to leave Jaffna will be punished, said clearly by the LTTE.
Muslims lived in Pombaiveli, Sonakaththeru, Beach road and Chavakachcheri. The Muslims who were living happily in Jaffna have started to pack and leave. But they were stopped and checked by the male and female cadres of the LTTE during their journey. The Muslims were allowed to carry only Rs. 150/=. Other items were confiscated by the LTTE. Muslims from Jaffna district were given only two hours to leave the peninsula, whereas the Muslims from Mannar, Mullaithivu and Kilinochchi districts were given few days to leave. They left their houses and moved to Puttlam by boats, buses, tractors, and lorries. As a result there were approximately 85,000 Muslims who were expelled by the LTTE from Northern districts.
Most of the Internally Displaced Persons are living in thatched houses, and are frustrated about staying there for more than 17 years. They lack the normal living standard of an average Muslim. They are very frustrated about the ration, which is irregular. The dry ration per person includes 5kilograms of rice, ½ kilogram of dhal, 1 kilogram of flour, 1 kilogram of sugar and a cake of soap. They complain that, these are not given at regular intervals. Sometimes they get the ration in every two months, and some other time in every four months.
The Internally Displaced Persons say that, they cannot depend on the ration. Women go the agriculture fields and earn Rs. 200/= per day. They need Rs. 40/= as up and down bus fare. They have to manage the balance Rs. 160/= for their family. The men go for fishing or day labourer, but they are not paid well either. And they have to compete with the host community.
The older generation of course is dreaming of going back to their home towns. But the younger generation does not want to return, because they have adopted to a new lifestyle, and unable to adjust if they go back.
Many voices were heard during the visit. The largest concentration of Internally Displaced Persons from Jaffna district are living in Thillaiyady. It is a small village occupied by the Muslims from Jaffna district. It’s called “Little Jaffna”. Everybody in Thillaiyady spoke typical Jaffna Tamil. Nobody wants to say that, they got displaced; instead they want to say that, they were evicted. They continued to languish in abysmal conditions.
Muslims from other three districts are spread out in Nuraichcholai and Katpity. The resettled villages have separate small houses made of hard board or wood or mud. Very dark inside; they pay Rs.20,000/= to get electricity. Cadjan fences give a village touch to the houses.
The Internally Displaced Persons say that, the Politicians make a lot of promises during their election campaigns, but once the election is over, they always become broken promises. And they have no hope; they have learnt to live with what is available.
Youngsters have no nostalgia for Jaffna
Rameez Sajath
“I was two year-old child when I left Jaffna in 1990. I can’t recall anything. I went back to Jaffna in 2005 by bus on A9. I was happy to see my parents’ birth place. My father is currently in Jaffna, who does business. I got used to a different lifestyle, and very difficult to go back to Jaffna and live there. I have finished my G.C.E. (A/L)- General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level), and awaiting results. I have almost settled down here, will not go back to Jaffna to live” said Rameez Sajath (19), who lives in Thillaiyady- Puttlam.
I met few women who got expelled from Jaffna in October 1990. These women are from Moors Street in Jaffna, now living in Sathamiyapuram in Thillaiyady. There are 365 families-1,825 members are living in these temporary shelters. They find it very difficult to manage, because of language barrier, and cultural change. Some shelters have more than family. Toilets are shared; wells are common.Children complain about discrimination at school among the children from host community and IDP community.
Pushed to poverty
Fareena Fariz
“This is not my land. My land is Jaffna. I like to go back to Jaffna to live, if the situation improves. I have three sons, and two daughters. I went to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi as a house maid to earn a stable income for my family. I worked abroad for eight years. My husband died a year ago, and after his death I could not leave my children and go back to earn. I live in a thatched house, and have no way to settle my daughters, who are 17 and 19 years old. Because the groom side demands a huge amount as dowry. And I do not have any money or belongings to give my daughters in marriage” lamented Fareena Fariz (41)
Neighbours left
Ameera Iyub Khan
“I went back to Jaffna during the peace time. But most of my Tamil neighbours have already left the area because of fierce fighting. My house was in rubble. I gathered nothing, except anger, desperation, frustration and hatredness. If my house was intact and the neighbours were there, I would have thought to stay there” said Ameer Iyub Khan (40)
Education abandoned
Nazreena Fowzy
“My family lost everything due to displacement. We have hidden the jeweleries in a thermos flask, and in the folds of clothes, which we were wearing during the journey. But all were confiscated by the LTTE cadres. I was 17 year old, when displaced. My parents managed to send me to school in Puttlam, and I have finished my education. But most parents found it difficult to let their children to continue their education. Because they were pushed to poverty after displacement; forced to stay in camps; and they were jobless; and could not afford to send their children to school.
The children who were displaced had to face discrimination at schools. I was not allowed to take part in any sports or extra curricular activities. Our talents were wasted” said Nazreena Fowzy (34) who is pre-school supervisor.
Called Refugee
Hasana Farwin
“I was eight year -old, when we had to leave. I was crying throughout the journey from Jaffna to Puttlam. My other family members tease me about it even now. I will not go back to Jaffna, because I am used to this place and people, and it’s very hard for me to go back and adjust. The Internally Displaced Persons are still called “Agathi” or refugee by the host community. We did not choose to be Internally Displaced Persons. Even the National Identity card has house number and camp address instead of our home town address” said Hasana Farwin (24).
I met another set of females in a resettlement village known as Karambai A Camp. They got expelled from Mannar in October 1990. There are 450 families-2250 members living in this village. They are faced with similar problems as Sathamiyapuram people.
We have no hatred feelings
Ramzia Muththalif
“I do not hate Tamils. Tamils and Muslims lived in harmony before 1990. Even after we got expelled, we have no hatred feelings towards the Tamils. They were not responsible for the expulsion. We gave refugee to Tamils from Periya Kadai, Sinna Kadai, Ezhuththoor, Thaalappaadu and Pallimunai during the heavy shelling and bombing in 1989 and 1990 in Mannar. They stayed with us. We gave them food and accommodation. Tamils and Muslims have had a very good understanding” said Ramzia Muththalif (38), who got expelled from Thaaraapuram in Mannar.
Frustration grows
Kasina Umma
“I will go back to my home town, if the LTTE gives a guarantee internationally that “Muslims will be safe in North, and we will not hassle them in the future”. I used to live in fear, while the fighting was going on between the Sri Lankan security forces and the LTTE. During the war I used to manage with one kerosene lamp to cook, then keep it off, and light the lamp again only while eating. Because kerosene was at scarce. We were caught in the middle. If any incident happened near our house, we would be targeted. I did not allow my children to shout, laugh, play or cry. Whenever I heard the noise of someone walking outside the house, I immediately clung and closed everybody’s mouths and asked them to keep quiet. Because if any noise was heard, the warring parties would come to my house to ask questions and search. I have suffered enough during the war” mentioned Kasina Umma (55).Her frustration was visible in her voice. She left Silavaththurai in 1990.
Tamil-Muslim relationship
Juwariya Uvais
“I am very worried about the relationship between the Tamils and Muslims. Before the displacement, Tamils and Muslims shared a lot and had a lot in common. But the displacement made a huge gap, which is growing. I wonder who is going to fill the yawning gap between these two communities. Muslims attended the weddings, funerals, house warming ceremonies, age attaining ceremonies and various other ceremonies of the Tamils before displacement, and Tamils attended similar function of Muslims. Now we hardly attend any ceremonies of this nature. I am very saddened about the current trend, which will lead us nowhere except for more misunderstandings between the communities.
Muslims from the North spoke the same Tamil which is spoken by the Tamil brothers and sisters. I called my father “Appa”, like the Tamils call their fathers. I never called my father “Vaappaa” just like Muslims call their fathers. We lived like own brothers and sisters. I am looking forward to a day, when Tamils and Muslims will forgive each other and forget the bitter past, and live as one family. That will be the most happiest day in my life” tearfully said Juwariya Uvais (39). She got expelled from Erukkalampitty.
Loss of identity
Nusra Shariff
“I was 13 year-old, when I was expelled along with my family from Thaaraapuram in Mannar. I have lost my cultural identity due to displacement. Women were not allowed leave the house and go on their own in Northern areas. Women are allowed to go out on their own here. I think that, it has been the tradition for several decades in the North, and I find it quite difficult to accept it and change myself accordingly” said Nusra Shariff (30).
Future of children
Thaslima Sajun
“I have three children, who were born in Puttlam. They do not know anything about the ancestral house. I wanted to take them to Mannar to show the culture I followed. But the situation does not permit to take them and stay there for a while. These children will grow up without knowing the values of our culture and tradition. And on the other hand I do not want to take any risk, and go and settle in Mannar, because of their education” said Thaslima Sajun (32), who also was expelled from Thaaraapuram in Mannar. She is Montessori school teacher.
I met a woman who was expelled from Mankumbaan Islet in Jaffna. She now resides in Karambai A camp.
Afraid to return
Jemila Sherifdeen
“I was expelled from my house with my husband and two children-1 ½ year old and 3 ½ year old. Someone arranged a vehicle for us to go. We came to Puliyankulam, Vavuniya and Puttlam. It took three days for us to reach Puttlam. Initially I was in a camp along with the others. Food and immediate needs were met by various organizations. I went back to Jaffna in 2005. But my house was in debris; and surrounded by the military. I am too frightened to return and settle down in Jaffna” said Jemila Sherifdeen (43)
Kids in Karambai
Kids play in the by-lanes; there is not enough space in their houses
Kids at play in Thillaiyady
Mohamed Sajan (5) at his house
Hasana Faiz (9) wants to become a teacher
Women returning home after dress making lessons
Kids watch while their parents meeting the journalists from Colombo
Women complain that, there is no privacy in the houses as there are extended family members
Kitchen utencils are washed and kept to dry in sunlight
Space is very limited
They wonder when they will get the permanent houses
Journalists and Internally Displaced Persons are engaged in discussion
[This article is written based on the information gathered during a field visit to Puttlam, organized by the Sri Lanka Women Journalists Network]
[HumanityAshore - Email: dushi.pillai@gmail.com ]
November 24th, 2007
by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
“If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded”- Maya Angelou- American poet, memoirist, actress and civil rights activist
25 million people have died of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) globally according to a survey carried out recently. The first case of a HIV positive person was reported in Sri Lanka in 1987. There have been 886 HIV positive persons reported by June 2007, and 120 died of AIDS according to the National STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) and AIDS Control Programme. Out of which 41% were women. Further out of 886 HIV positive persons, 516 are males and 370 are females. A total of 28 paediatric HIV have been diagnosed in Sri Lanka as end of June 2006. The male to female ratio is 1:4:1.
An estimated 5,000 people were living with HIV in Sri Lanka at the end of 2005 out of 20 million population, and an estimated 140 people died of AIDS related illnesses according to the UNAIDS fact sheet, which was issued on August 10th 2007.
Between 2.8 and 9.8 million people were living with HIV in Asia in 2006, and between 310,000 and 610,000 people became newly infected with the virus according to the UNAIDS fact sheet, which was updated in August 2007. And between 140,000 and 610,000 people died from AIDS related illnesses in 2006.
“In the 25 years since the first case was reported, AIDS has changed the world. It has killed 25 million people, infected 40 million more. It has become the world’s leading cause of death among both men and women aged 15- 59. It has inflicted the single greatest reversal in the history of human development. In other words, it has become the greatest challenge of our generation” said the Former Secretary –General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan in his World AIDS Day message in 2006.
Although Sri Lanka has a low prevalent rate (0.03%), it is a challenge to maintain at this rate. Nearly two decades since the reporting its first HIV infection, Sri Lanka remains one of the few countries in the region with a low level of HIV epidemic. Conditions of higher vulnerability also include conflict, high mobility, of military, internally displaced persons, and separation of spouses related to overseas employment.
“The unequal rights of women to inheritance and property in many parts of the region have been severely aggravated by HIV. Burdened by the care of their spouses, illness and the responsibility of the household, women living with or affected by HIV are often denied their rightful access to property when their spouses die. Blamed, abused and expelled from their marital homes. HIV positive women often denied access to their children as well.
The feminization of the epidemic in the Asia Pacific region and the related challenges are truly daunting. About 30% of the new infections in the region are among women. With little or no control over their sexual lives and burdened by abuse, exploitation and violence in the region are extremely vulnerable to HIV as borne by the facts. In Papua New Guinea 60% of the new infections are among women, while in Thailand “housewives” accounted for 40% of the new cases. In Nepal 100% of the new infections are among women” said Caitlin Wiesen, Regional HIV/AIDS Team Leader, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), regional Centre in Colombo.
Waves of Change; Waves of Hope, was this year’s theme for the 8th ICAAP (International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific) which just concluded in Colombo. 2,000 delegates from 4o countries have participated in the international conference, which was held from August 19-23rd 2007. They shared experiences to fight the epidemic with confidence and hope
Journey for Healthy Life was started in 1999 with five members, which has spread its wings to 12 members. It has a male and a female counselors. The Director of Journey for Healthy Life Nakkeeran Gunarajah in an exclusive interview with Kuviyam regarding the HIV/AIDS situation in the Jaffna Peninsula. [Nakkeeran Gunarajah –>]
Q: What type of services do you provide?
A: We help the people to get volunteer HIV tests. And also provide counseling if they are found positive. We give counseling for their family members, so that they do not ill treat the fellow family members, who are HIV positive. There is no compassion towards the HIV positive, and we try to educate the community on this issue as well. And also we create awareness in the society such as what is HIV, how it spreads, preventive measures and treatment. The Journey for Healthy Life also provides attendants service at home and hospital.
We managed to have 20 HIV/AIDS related seminars in 15 District Secretariat divisions in Jaffna in conjunction with the World AIDS day in 2006. HIV positive persons have participated in the seminars.
Q: How do you see the current HIV/AIDS situation in Jaffna?
A: There were 42 HIV positives up to March 2006. There was a 31/2 year-old baby girl was among them. And five mothers were found HIV positive. We urge the people to go for HIV test, but it’s not that easy due to the social set up in the society.
Q: How do you see the situation of Stigma and discrimination?
A: The loved ones of HIV positive people are discriminated at their work place as well as at home. For example:
*Valli, who got infected to HIV and later died of AIDS. Her son *Kugan who worked in a bakery in Jaffna was discriminated by his employer. The employer used to ask *Kugan to wash the utensils with warm water, clean the bakery premises with water after his mother visited the bakery.
Valli’s another son *Kumar who shared a room with his friend *Senthil in the town. Whenever Kumar visited his mother at home and cam back to the room, removed his shirt and put it on hanger. *Senthil used to remove his shirts which were hanging next to *Kumar’s shirt and put them in a separate place.
When *Valli died of AIDS, her extended family members refused to touch her body to give a bath before cremating. It’s a funeral rites of the Hindus to bathe the dead body before cremating it I a cemetery. But at late *Valli’s home her relatives refrained from touching her dead body.
Similar situations have been faced by other families which have HIV positive persons in the families. Although there had been numerous awareness activities created by various organizations, there is still stigma attached to the society. We are still trying very hard to remove the stigma from the society.
Q: What are the challenges faced by your organisation?
A: We faced if we want to talk about prevention, we have to talk about sex in public. But in Jaffna, the community is very conservative. The community does not want us to talk about sex in public. It’s a big challenge for us. On the other hand people are clueless, if we don’t explain to the people in detail, how the HIV can get infected.
There is no networking system available for us at the moment. We hardly have any connections with the other organization working with PLWHAs (People Living With HIV/AIDS) on the rest of the country. The current political situation also prevents us from expanding our network locally and globally. The 8th ICAAP (International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific) was a great opportunity for us to make new connections.
We were funded by the Christian Aid till April 2007. We do not have any donors at present. We had to reduce the number of staff to five due to financial constraints.
Q: What will be your future activities?
A: Journey for Healthy Life has already planned to implement a four step project for five years. The project is expected to begin in 2008 and end in 2013.
1. Creating awareness
2. Care and support to HIV positive persons
3. Income generating and livelihood programs for identified persons who are at risk
4. Service availability
Hope springs from the sharing of knowledge. Let us focus on preventing HIV/AIDS around the world.
(* Name of a HIV positive and her sons have been changed to maintain confidentiality)
[HumanityAshore.org]
Email: dushi.pillai@gmail.com
November 14th, 2007
by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
“A free bird leaps
On the back of the wind
And floats downstream
Till the current end
And dips her wing
In the orange sun rays
And dares to claim the sky” - Maya Angelou- American Poet, memoirist, actress and civil rights activist
The 8th ICAAP (International Congress on AIDS in Asia and Pacific) will be held in Sri Lanka from August 19t to 23 rd 2007. There will be 2,000 delegates from 40 countries participating in the international conference. “Waves of Change; Waves of Hope” is this year’s theme. There are many events organized to coincide with the main conference.
A media briefing about the upcoming 8th ICAAP was held in Colombo on Thursday August 16th, announcing details of the 5 day conference.
As per the UNAIDS fact sheet of August 10 th 2007 released at the briefing, an estimated 5,000 people are living with HIV in Sri Lanka at the end of 2005, and an estimated 140 people died of AIDS related illnesses. Nearly two decades since reporting of its first HIV infection, Sri Lanka remains one of the few countries in the region with low level HIV epidemic. Reported cases of HIV reached a cumulative total of 886 people by June 2007 according to the National STD and AIDS Control Programme, of which 41% were women. A total of 26 paediatric HIV have been diagnosed in Sri Lanka as of end of 2006.
The first ever Asia Pacific Court of Women on HIV, Inheritance and Property Rights: From Dispossession to Livelihoods, Security and Safe Spaces will be held at the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall) on August 18 th 2007 as a pre-congress activity. The “Regional Court of Women” is organized by UNDP Regional HIV and Development Programme, in partnership with Asian Women’s Human Rights Council (AWHRC), UNAIDS and UNIFEM
It is an attempt to give visibility to the lives and voices of those who are increasingly being pushed to the margins of our societies and polity, because they are identified as positive and poor. There will be 25 women living with HIV from 11 countries- Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Iran, Pakistan, Malaysia, Cambodia , Vietnam, Thailand, South Africa and Papua New Guinea share their stories of struggle. The Eminent Jury will include Miloon Kothari, UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, Marina Mahathir ( Malaysia), Justice Shiranee Tilakawardade (Sri Lanka), Justice Kalyan Shresstha (Nepal), Cherie Honkala (United States), Lawrence Liang (India) and Farida Akhter (Bangladesh). In addition to the hearings, five experts of repute will present their contextual analyses of the diverse aspects of the issue. These “expert witnesses” will be Vicky Corpuz- Tebtebba Foundation in the Philippines, Sunila Abeysekera-INFORM in Sri Lanka, Anand Grover-Lawyers Collective in India, Elizabeth Reid-Sociologist in Australia, and Assefa Yirga Gebregziabher an Ethiopian Lawyer.
The testimonies will be presented in four sessions on:
1. Dispossession and destruction: Poverty, Violence and HIV
2. Dispossession and destruction: Culture, Marginalisation and HIV
3. Human Rights and Inhuman Wrongs: Evaluating State Responses, HIV, Property and Inheritance Rights
4. Reclaiming Survival and Security: Celebrating Voices of Resistance and Hope
“Court will bring to public focus challenges faced by women in context of HIV and AIDS. HIV deepens the prevalent gender inequalities driving the epidemic in the region. When women are denied their rights to inheritance and property, they are robbed of the social and economic empowerment needed to help prevent HIV infection, and cope with its impact on families and communities” said Caitlin Wiesen, Regional HIV/AIDS Team Leader, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Center in Colombo at the media briefing.
[Caitlin Wiesen]
She further said:
“The unequal rights of women to inheritance and property in many parts of the region have been severely aggravated by HIV. Burdened by the care of their spouses, illnesses and the responsibility of the household, women living with or affected by HIV are often denied their rightful access to property when their spouses die. Blamed, abused and expelled from their marital homes. HIV positive women are often denied access to their children as well.
The feminization of the epidemic in the Asia Pacific region and the related challenges are truly daunting. About 30% of the new infections in the region are among women. With little or no control over their sexual lives and burdened by abuse, exploitation and violence women in the region are extremely vulnerable to HIV as borne by the facts. In Papua New Guinea 60% of the new infections are among women, while in Thailand “housewives” accounted for 40% of the new cases. In Nepal 100% of the new infections are among women.
A recent socio-economic impact study in India by UNDP and the National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER) show that almost 80% of the AIDS widows were expelled from their marital home. Women living with HIV who own lands subject to violence 4-7 times in life. Dispossessed of land and property, women are left to inherit HIV, loss of family, shame and poverty. Women should be empowered to claim their rights to inherit properties and to disinherit vulnerabilities to HIV”.
[Madhu Bhushan]
Also attending at the media briefing, Madhu Bhushan, Co-ordinator of Asian Women’s Human Rights Council (AWHRC) in India stated:
“The Courts are part of a global movement that seeks to redefine rights and other notions of justice from the lives and life visions of women particularly from the global South. More than thirty Courts of Women have been held in different regions in the world such as Asia, Arab States, Africa Central America and Latin America.
Violence against women living with HIV is escalating. The institution of prostitution has been in the history, but now it is becoming an industry”.
Through exploring the feminist methodology of weaving together the personal with the political, women’s subjective testimonies are woven together with objective realities presented by expert witnesses. The Courts also offer varies other ways to know through weaving together the logical with the lyrical by interspersing these testimonies and analyses with video testimonies, artistic images and poetry.
There is considerable evidence that Sri Lanka is vulnerable to the development of the concentrated HIV epidemics. Female sex workers are found in most of the major towns and cities, and there are networks of Men who have Sex with Men with multiple partners including paying clients according to the recent fact sheet by the UNAIDS.
Although Sri Lanka has a low prevalent rate, which is less than 1%, the challenge is to keep the rate low. When people get displaced from their homes, the usual system of justice does not exist.
Some courageous women who are living with HIV have come forwarded to share their pain at the Regional Courts of Women. They have faced challenges in their lives, and they need to be treated with dignity, and the way they are being treated in the community needs to change. Their silence needs to be broken; and their voices should be heard!
The 9 th ICAAP (International Congress on AIDS in Asia and Pacific) will be held in Indonesia in 2009.
Email: dushi.pillai@gmail.com
August 17th, 2007