A Progressio partner organisation in Somaliland, Talowadag, working with people who have been abandoned by their families because of HIV and AIDS, has won a prestigious human rights award.
Talowadag, which means ‘in consultation with one another,’ has given counselling and support to more than 1,500 people affected by HIV or AIDS in its first four years. Most of the people they help are women living in poverty.
The International Service award for the Defense of the Right to Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare recognises the vital role Talowadag plays in overcoming the entrenched discrimination and stigma linked to HIV and AIDS in Somaliland.
Unable to travel to the UK to collect the award, Guleid Abdi, Director of Talowadag, said it nevertheless would represent a significant boost for Talowadag’s mission to overcome stigma and discrimination around HIV and AIDS. (See below for an interview with Guleid Abdi.)
Steve Kibble from Progressio (pictured above holding the award), who received the award on behalf of Guleid, said: “Talowadag is an organisation that really sticks its neck out in seeking to overcome discrimination around HIV and AIDS.”
Talowadag’s work includes providing home-based care and education for communities on how to take responsibility of their sexual health in order to avoid infection. They also have support groups which offer a place for people affected by HIV and AIDS to share their experiences and receive emotional care.
The Talowadag Coalition also works with religious and clan leaders in order to address the cultural practices and attitudes that have discriminated against those with HIV and AIDS.
The annual Human Rights Awards, held by UK development agency International Service, recognise the achievements of organisations and individuals around the world working at a grassroots level to promote human rights and change the things that cause people to be excluded, impoverished or disempowered.
An interview with Guleid Abdi, Director of Talowadag:
Talowadag Coalition is only four years old. How have you been able to care for over 1,500 people with HIV and AIDS in such a significant way?
“Talowadag Coalition may only be four years old, but it has quickly found its feet and now leads the fight against stigma and discrimination.
“It is worth noting that HIV and AIDS is taboo in Somaliland – it is not talked about openly. Fear and misunderstanding surrounds the disease. Many people who learn they are infected are abandoned by their families and quickly become destitute – no one will touch them or talk to them, neighbours will not let their animals graze together any longer, and often they are thrown out of their homes.
“In this socio-economic backdrop, the Coalition provides home-based care and emotional support for people who are HIV positive, generating income sources, and support groups help them share their experiences with others. The Coalition also works to educate the wider community on how to take responsibility for their sexual health so that they can avoid becoming infected with HIV and AIDS.”
How has working with religious and clan leaders helped you connect with and educate the community?
“Religious and clan leaders are influential actors among the Somali society. The community respects them and takes their messages seriously. With regards to HIV and AIDS issues Talowadag Coalition targeted them early in 2007.
“At the beginning, the religious and traditional leaders were provided with separate awareness raising sessions on the basic facts of HIV and AIDS, such as the prevalence rate in Somaliland, with particular emphasis on current conditions of children orphaned by the disease and mothers living with HIV.
“Now, Talowadag invites religious leaders to give spiritual and psychosocial support to people living with HIV and their affected relatives. They take part in sensitising the community to HIV and AIDS at mosques during religious sermons. Moreover, the community leaders actively participate in settling family disputes resulting from HIV and AIDS related issues such as the required care for children whose parents died as well as property and inheritance rights.”
What does it mean to you and the organisation to win the International Service Human Rights Award for Defense of the Right to Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare?
“Really, I can not measure in a few words how we are feeling and the sense that this award made for us, however, I am so happy to see the output of our efforts and also to see the recognition of our work by the international community and international NGOs.”
What message does this send out to both the international and local community?
“For Talowadag, winning this prize means that we should scale up ongoing initiatives to reverse the spread of HIV and improve the standard of life of those who are already infected or affected by HIV and AIDS.
“We firmly believe that HIV and AIDS issues should be addressed from a rights-based approach in order to help people living with HIV enjoy their inalienable rights on an equal footing as contributing and valuable citizens.”
What would you have said if you had been able to attend the award ceremony?
“If I had the opportunity of attending the ceremony, on behalf of Talowadag Coalition, I would have thanked International Service for giving us this Award, the honourable guests attending the ceremony and other winners who have travelled to come to York to collect their awards.
“I would have thanked the city of York for hosting this timely prestigious ceremony and the people of the United Kingdom. Also, I would have thanked our partners including Progressio who built the capacity of our organisation since the time we established Talowadag and without it we could have not have won this human rights award.
“Finally, I would have presented the profile of my organisation and the importance of such an event (award ceremony) and I would recommend the international and local community to unite their efforts to reduce discrimination against human beings wherever they are.”
What does this mean for the future of the Talowadag Coalition?
“We hope that this will open up opportunities for Talowadag to establish links and collaborations with local community as well as international agencies engaged in Human rights and HIV and AIDS issues.”
What advice do you give to groups like yours?
“To have commitment in their field, transparency and effective service delivery.”
Read more about Talowadag’s work here
Photo: Progressio’s advocacy officer Steve Kibble receives the International Service Human Rights Award on behalf of Talowadag. Photographer: Kippa Matthews
