Paulette
As a peer educator, I increase awareness about HIV, unwanted pregnancies, and marriage at a young age. We visit communities and talk to people, including those that are particularly vulnerable. Young women in general are more vulnerable to get HIV. One of the reasons, unfortunately, is rape. If they are not aware of the infection, they can spread the virus without knowing, including to their unborn child.
“I want all women, but especially those living with HIV, to be independent and to protect themselves.”
I became HIV positive because of my husband, after marrying at the age of 15. I didn’t know my husband was infected. When he died three years later, I experienced a lot of discrimination. That’s why I moved to Kinshasa, a big city where nobody knew me except for my family. When I got very ill, they abandoned me at a hospital. There I met the coordinator of RENADEF (Réseau national des ONG pour le Développement de la Femme), a partner organisation of Cordaid. She inspired me to start my own NGO to help others. It became my destiny. I want all women, but especially those living with HIV, to be independent and to protect themselves.
