"We woke up early the next morning and he carried me on his back to the clinic. The nurse did a few tests and put me on treatment. My stepfather saved my life."—Lorraine Mashishi, South Africa
"The first time Gabriel proposed a relationship, I just had to tell him. I told him, 'I may look healthy and cute, but the truth is this: I live with HIV.' His answer shocked me. He said: 'You told me your status. That means I can even trust you with big issues'."—Memory Phiri, Zambia
"Women get scared to talk about their HIV status but taking the first step towards talking to other women living with HIV will definitely help to heal your emotions and manage your health."—Esther Mwale Goma, Zambia
"I work with my son Elijah who is living with HIV to raise awareness and motivate people to know their HIV status. We both strongly believe that we can have an AIDS-free society in Kenya."—Evelyn Simaloyi, Kenya
"My daughter, Betty, was born HIV-free. She is now eight years old. Every mother, every pregnant woman must get tested for HIV. It can save the lives of the mother and her baby".—Fanaye Hailu, Ethiopia
"The services and support in health facilities are helping a lot of mothers living with HIV. It gives me great hope to know that creating awareness will eventually help us ensure that children in Africa are no longer born with HIV."—Florence Nakirija, Uganda
"My counsellor told me that if I adhered to my treatment and deliver in a health facility the chances of passing HIV to my baby would be greatly reduced. Nine months later, my first daughter was born HIV-free."—Gaolatlhe Kalanke, Botswana
"A lot of people who are living with HIV suffer from self-stigma and they are in denial of their HIV status. I am determined to use my life experience to help somebody who is in denial and struggling to lead a good life."—Kesego Basha-Mupelli, Botswana
"Keabetswe is the reason why the past year—since she was born free from HIV—has been the best year of my whole life."—Koketso Mokhethoa, South Africa
"When I had Emmanuel I was more empowered than I was when I had Alec."—Maureen Murenga, Kenya
"When I see my children, I am eager to live longer. I am excited, happy. I look forward to a bright and hopeful future. Knowing they are HIV-free makes me feel like I am free of the virus."—Abiyot Godana, Ethiopia
"It was in the clinic's support groups that I learned to be a healthy and ambitious young woman, and not just a woman living with HIV."—Margaret Nalwoga, Uganda
Update
Faces of an AIDS-free generation in eastern and southern Africa
14 August 2015
14 August 201514 August 2015
A new book that tells the inspiring stories of 12 mothers living with HIV and their children born
A new book that tells the inspiring stories of 12 mothers living with HIV and their children born free of the virus has been launched at a community event near Polokwane in Limpopo province, South Africa, on the occasion of National Women’s Day (August 9). The book, Faces of an AIDS Free Generation in eastern and southern Africa, aims to promote the further uptake of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services to help prevent the transmission of HIV to children during pregnancy and early motherhood.
In recent years, there has been a rapid scale-up of PMTCT services in the region that has produced significant results. By the end of 2014, an estimated 88% of pregnant women living with HIV in eastern and southern Africa were accessing services to stop them transmitting the virus to their children. This has resulted in a 60% decline in the number of HIV infections among children between 2009 and 2014, from 230 000 to 93 000.
The book highlights the urgent need to further expand PMTCT services to make pregnancy and breastfeeding safer for women living with HIV, as more than 90% of new HIV infections among children occur when women are inadequately supported during pregnancy and early motherhood.
It also stresses the need for the rapid scale-up of paediatric testing and treatment to prevent AIDS-related deaths among children. Without knowing the HIV status of a child it is impossible for them to receive life-saving treatment. Just 38% of children living with HIV in eastern and southern Africa had access to antiretroviral medicines in 2014. Without treatment, half of all children born with HIV will die by the age of two and the majority will die by the age of five.
Faces of an AIDS Free Generation in eastern and southern Africa is published with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation (Sida) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).
Quotes
“We hope to ignite a movement that seeks to re-commit our continent to reduce the HIV epidemic among our women and girls. Empowering women is critical to ending the AIDS epidemic, and I am encouraged and thrilled by the energy, solidarity, courage, and conviction that we have seen here in Polokwane.”
Sheila Tlou, Director, UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa
“By launching this book in Polokwane, UNAIDS is showing that leadership at community level is central to ending the AIDS epidemic.”
Phophi Ramatheba, Member of the Executive Council (MEC) of Health in Limpopo, South Africa
“There is no single day that goes by without me motivating someone. I have committed my life to stay positive and using my experience to motivate others. I want to pose one question to all of you – what legacy will you leave when you are no longer alive?”
Delarise Mulqueen, woman living with HIV and author of the book My HIV Journey as a Woman of Colour in South Africa
