Stop granny abuse during Women’s Month and always

Some young women in Alex are dedicating their nurturing instincts to helping others struggling with abuse and the scourge of HIV/Aids in the township.

Albeit on a daily basis, their selflessness is a fitting contribution to Women’s Month through outreach work on the streets and at their NPO Lifeline offices on 8th Avenue.

The group of peer educators and counsellors said the work also fulfilled a national and global mandate of ensuring that 90 percent of the population know their HIV/Aids status, receive free treatment and live long and fulfilling lives like any other citizen.

Read: HIV Vaccine Awareness Day: Get tested and know your status

HIV Testing Services Coordinator, Judy Tsutsa said the testing particularly targeted 18-month-old to 19-year-old children, who were exposed to the virus through mother to child infection but were not treated as they grew older or, through sexual activity.

“They are more vulnerable and at risk of death from many years of the virus’ incubation, continued risky behaviour and denial compounded with the shame that makes them reclusive after discovering their positive status,” she stressed.

Targeting this group she said, also derived from parents who took them for testing but didn’t disclose that they were being treated for HIV, which requires strict adherence. “The inconsistency in treatment may suppress the virus only for a while until their immunity fails and they die.

She urged parents to be truthful with their children regardless of any ramifications, such as anger and rebellion. “If fearful, they should seek help from our organisation at the 8th Avenue office and at gazebos on the streets on how to disclose and receive counselling to lessen the impact of the trauma.”

Read: HIV/Aids is real, so take care

Her colleague and peer educator, Monica Rammala appealed for more educators to deal with door-to-door HIV/Aids awareness counselling in the overcrowded township with many transient residents and many grannies who are being abused by their grand children.

“They tell us of the abuse and theft of their grants when we distribute pamphlets on HIV/Aids and counselling, free condoms and other services. Other grand children chase them from their homes claiming the houses belong to their mothers,” she said.

Rammala urged councillors, other local leaders and neighbours to help resolve these problems at ward committee meetings and community events. Grannies need to be accompanied to court to gain restraining orders against children who come home late and ask them to open up for them. Once the children gain entry, they physically abuse the grannies while under the influence of alcohol. These vulnerable grannies need help to access and protect their social security grants.”

Read: Frequently asked questions about HIV/AIDS in South Africa

She also appealed to those pretending to know all about Aids, not to chase them from their doorsteps, but to receive and pass on the pamphlets to others.

Details: Lifeline 011 443 3555.

Share on Alex News Facebook page how you commemorated Women’s Day and month.