People with HIV counsel peers, meet President

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

HIV/AIDS has too often been unfairly seen as a punishment for leading a high-risk or impulsive life, but a woman forced into prostitution by her father says for her the infection was "a blessing".

"I was sold by my father to a pimp here in Jakarta when I was 13 years old, and I could not get away from that life because my father kept on coming to collect money from my pimp," said the woman, breaking into tears.

Her liberation finally came when she was told that she had contracted HIV/AIDS; the "good news" that allowed her to leave her profession.

"I finally got out of that horrible life and now I work for the Bandung Wangi as a councilor for many women working as sex workers like I was before," she told President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace on Friday as part of the commemoration of World AIDS Day on Friday.

Bandung Wangi is one of several NGOs dealing with people living with HIV/AIDS in the country.

Ministry of Health statistics say 5,071 people are known to be living with HIV/AIDS in the country, but health activists estimate the actual figures are between 90,000 and 135,000 people.

According activist Baby Jim Aditya, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the country increased by about 50 percent from 2002 to 2004, the highest increase in the world.

"There are three countries in East Asia that recorded an estimated increase of more than 50 percent -- China, Vietnam and Indonesia, -- but Indonesia has recorded the highest rise in the world," Baby was quoted by Antara as saying on Friday.

Baby said the sharp increase was partly due to rising drug use -- particularly involving injecting drug users -- and increasing sexual activity.

Most people living with HIV/AIDS in the country and around the world were believed to be women, she said. They were often infected by their male partners without their knowledge or against their will, she said.

A woman living with HIV/AIDS told Susilo she had began to rebuild her life again thanks to the retroviral pills she took that were subsidized by the government.

"I hope the government can continue this program, which started a couple of years ago, or if possible increase the subsidy for us," the woman said.

Susilo said in his speech that the government was fully aware of the position of women and the dangers they faced from the virus.

"From this forum, I want to once again remind the people of our national values and traditions to respect marriage and to stay loyal to one partner," the Susilo said.

He reminded the meeting of the importance of family values to keep children away from sexual promiscuity and drug use.

"We have to save our children because it is better to prevent them from getting the virus as there is no medication to cure it," the President said.

He ordered all governors and regents to submit monthly reports to the health ministry about their efforts to stop the spread of the virus in their regions.

"I will asks for reports every three months from the Minister of Health," Susilo said.