Gender-based and sexual violence (GBV) and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection are closely related. Victims of GBV, especially those who experience sexual violence, have a high risk of exposure to HIV, and conversely, people living with HIV/AIDS also often face violence, both in physical, psychological and sexual forms even from their closest people. This makes the burden faced by women victims of GBV with HIV positive status much heavier due to social stigma and very limited access to health services.
To raise awareness of these two issues, Yayasan IPAS Indonesia in collaboration with the Standing Committee on Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights Including HIV & AIDS, Center for Indonesian Medical Students’ Activities (SCORA CIMSA) held a talk show entitled Joint Action to Protect Women from Violence and HIV on Sunday, December 1, 2024 in Kalibata, South Jakarta.
Community Access and Mobilization Specialist of IPAS Indonesia Foundation, Jaclyn Kaunang, said that there are still many women who do not realize that they have become victims of GBV.
“From the results of our assessment in three districts in Central Java, we found that one of the factors women do not report violence is because they do not realize they are experiencing violence,” she said.
This indicates the urgency of education and socialization of awareness about GBV itself. In addition, the support of the surrounding community, especially the victim’s family, is believed to be one of the factors determining the victim’s willingness to report cases and access services.
Hartini, Coordinator of the PPIA Division of the Indonesian Positive Women’s Association, said that HIV transmission in women mostly comes from their partners, in other words, those women who are victims of violence.
“Many women are unable or unwilling to disclose their HIV status due to fears of stigma, discrimination, and the risk of violence that is likely to be given by their partner, family, or surrounding community,” she added.
Komnas Perempuan Commissioner Alimatul Qibtiyah emphasized that this stigma affects people with HIV infection in seeking treatment. In fact, some of the stigma comes from health care providers.
SCORA CIMSA has conducted an assessment to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of medical students and the general public towards HIV/AIDS. The survey was conducted online on October 1-28, 2024 involving a total of 105 respondents.
In terms of knowledge and attitudes, respondents generally had good knowledge and attitudes. However, there is a need to improve their knowledge of HIV prevention, especially regarding HIV vaccine research and the management of preventing transmission from pregnant women living with HIV to their babies.
“The only way to fight AIDS is through prevention, and the only way to prevent is through education, let’s fight violence together, achieve zero HIV transmission, and strengthen strong voices to end HIV/AIDS and stigma through unity and action,” concluded SCORA CIMSA.
