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| The three winners and the the National Coordinator of NNPWE, Mekdes Yilma. |
The event, which is the first of its kind in the country, was organized by the National Network of Positive Women Ethiopians (NNPWE) in collaboration with different partner organizations including Dan Church Aid (DCA)-Ethiopia.
The opening speaker, Mekdes Yilma the National Coordinator of NNPWE, strongly emphasized the need for more women living with HIV/AIDS to become actively involved in events and activities such as the beauty contest.
The women’s courage, positive living and beliefs become essential means in fighting stigma and discrimination toward HIV positive people all over.
Living with discrimination
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| Twenty three years old, Abrehet Berehe represents her community in the Afar district of Northern Ethiopia |
One of the women in the contest is Abrehet Berehe. She is twenty three years old, HIV positive and represents her community in the Afar district of Northern Ethiopia.
“In my district, stigma and discrimination toward HIV positive women is very high” Abrehet states. She explains that the woman, who was initially expected to participate in the contest, chose not to out of fear of being humiliated by the community.
This example is unfortunately not unique, and for many contestants, organizers and participants one of the important reasons for being involved.
Dr.Daniel Merhatsidk, DCA-Ethiopia’s HIV/AIDS Program Officer and one of the invited participants, states;
“The aim of this event directly relates with one of the four objectives of DCA’s HIV/AIDS program, which is to ensure the right to non-discrimination, stigmatization and access to adequate information and services for PLWHAs. NNPWE is DCA’s partner implementing a project focusing on fighting stigma and discrimination and empowerment of PLWHAs.”
More events
The contestant Abrehet says; “The organizers and the sponsors of this event have confirmed to us that we are able and I would like to thank them all”.
She suggests that the event becomes a regular one, saying; “This way we will be able to bring out the many hidden HIV positive women a few at a time”.
Fikerte Abebe Sime