Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights-An Intervention Continued By POFEN

Project Description

POFEN was established by the APLHIV, which is now a registered organization and hosted by APLHIV. Since its establishment, POFEN has initiated many interventions to empower women and girls. SRHR is one the area of mandate of POFEN. The rights of individuals to access Sexual & Reproductive Health services, and to make their own decisions about their SRH care, have been well recognized and Sexual and Reproductive Rights apply to all individuals regardless of HIV status. Yet often, the rights of HIV-Positive Females are not recognized or given priority. Gender inequality and some social and cultural practices often tightly restrict and sometimes control the decisions that women and girls can make regarding their sexual and reproductive choices due to poverty, HIV-related stigma, discrimination and lack of knowledge. The access of HIV-Positive Females and of women and girls in general, to critically needed information and services is severely restricted, with dire consequences. Very few females have knowledge about existence of service delivery to cater the SRH needs of positive females. The APLHIV continued its initiative through POFEN to capacitate women and girls on issues related to SRH&R, communication skills, advocacy skills, need for and importance of accessing services and treatment adherence counseling, Global Fund related processes and ensuring their meaningful participation at various fora. opportunities to the women and girls are being offered from all over the country to highlight their issues, enlist and prioritize their needs. Training sessions are being conducted in various parts of the country to sensitize women and girls regarding their health and human rights to enable them to raise their voices and challenge the stigma faced through societal pressures. Vocational trainings for over 50 women were also carried out to empower women and girls so as to empower and train them for ensuring a meaningful economic participation.