Urmila (name changed), 28, a resident of Oli Gaun of Accham district, lost her husband four years ago. Rawal, a mother of two children, is infected by HIV. A dalit, Urmila has to face all kinds of discriminations in the village. Out of 3,504 people, there are 1,514 (43%) males, and 1990 (57%) females.
Urmila of Oli Gaun is not the only woman suffering that plight. A large number of women, particularly poor dailts, are the worst affected by HIV infections.
Despite several efforts of the government and non-governmental organizations, migrant workers continue to bring HIV infection and transmit it to their spouses. According to a recent report, 120 people have already died in Accham due to AIDS.
Little progress has been made in the isolated communalities in the remote areas as most of the uneducated people migrate to urban areas and Indian cities for greater economic and employment prospects leaving married women home. When these migrants return, most of them bring HIV to their wives. Women living with HIV of dalit community begin to face double discriminations.
As husband dies, the Women Living with HIV have to bear all kinds of economic burdens in the household. They have to go from house to house to seek support from all to save their children.
With the Human Development Index of Achham District at 0.325 and ranking of 69 among 75 districts of Nepal, Gender Development Index (GDI)) of Achham is 0.275, which one of the lowest of Nepal.
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