By Sarah Munthali

Lilongwe, March 15, Mana: Just Associates Southern Africa (JASS SNA), a global feminist movement building and strengthening organization, on Thursday launched a Chichewa HIV treatment literacy manual.

The manual, developed in collaboration with Our Bodies Our lives (OBOL) movement, Coalition of Women living with HIV and Aids (COWLA) and Malawi Network of religious leaders living or personally affected by HIV and Aids (MANERELA+), aims at meeting needs of women affected by HIV and AIDS, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health and assert their rights in treatment options.

Speaking during the launch Regional Director for JASS Southern Africa, Phumi Mthethwa, said the launch of the manual is a milestone because issues related to HIV treatment can be communicated in a language spoken in Malawi.

“We launched the English manual in 2019 and we are launching the Chichewa manual now. Having heard women’s experiences at community level, we want to ensure that HIV treatment issues are communicated in a language they understand,” she said.

The manual covers three key thematic areas of treatment, adherence and understanding which medication does what to the body and what happens if you stop taking treatment, understanding the functions of the woman body and what it requires.

Mthethwa said HIV treatment does not guarantee a health and a well-being hence the manual also covers issues to do with gender and preparedness measures in relation to disaster such as cyclones and other weather effects.

She, therefore, said government should provide adequate health care to HIV positive women by ensuring that hospitals are functioning and have adequate medicines.

According to Malawi Country Coordinator for JASS, Sibongile Chibwe Singini, the manual addresses women's holistic health needs, enabling them to advocate for comprehensive healthcare solutions.

“The manual, the first-ever grassroots feminist treatment literacy manual in Malawi, is a testament to the dedication and vision of OBOL women. It is designed to meet the diverse needs of women affected by HIV and AIDS, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health and assert their rights in navigating treatment options,” she said.

Northern Regional Coordinator for OBOL, Tiwonge Gondwe, said most women in rural communities are illiterate hence the manual will help them understand issues with HIV and AIDS and how they can take care of their bodies.

“Most health personnel don’t have enough time to explain everything about HIV treatment to women and most women are just taking Antiretroviral drugs and do not understand what these drugs do to their bodies hence high default rate.

“This manual contains all the information and this will greatly address all issues affecting women living with HIV and AIDS,” said Gondwe.

HIV Care and Treatment Officer in the Ministry of Health, Brown Chiwandira commended JASS SNA for initiatives aimed at supporting women living with HIV and AIDS in the country, saying the launch of the manual complements government’s efforts of providing information to the community.

In Malawi, JASS SNA has actively supported OBOL women's movement for over 15 years advocating for accountability and improved healthcare for HIV positive individuals.