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Selestine Otom: The Impact of Kenya's Violence   
Jan. 25, 2008—More than 600 people have died and over 200,000 have been displaced by the violence that erupted after Kenya’s contested presidential and parliamentary elections held in December. In addition to the loss of life, the violence has led to escalating rates of violence against women and the spread of HIV/AIDS. CEDPA’s thoughts and prayers are with the people of Kenya, including our hundreds of training alumni and program partners in the country. We have heard from many of our friends about their efforts to seek a peaceful resolution for the citizens of Kenya. We have also heard about how the violence has worsened the health and well-being of so many families. We are sharing the story of one of our friends, Selestine Otom (shown above right), who wrote about how the violence has impacted the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya in the days after the election. Selestine participated in Advancing Women’s Leadership and Advocacy for AIDS Action, an initiative to equip and empower a cadre of women from around the world with the knowledge and skills to strengthen and lead the global response to AIDS. Selestine Otom: In Her Own WordsThe situation in the my country is indeed pathetic for all, but a much more severe impact is being felt by women living with HIV in different parts of the country, which has been for long a bed of Peace.
I am one of the many Kenyan women whose adherence to treatment has been completely ruined having had to stay out of medication for over twelve days, as a result of transport crisis and looming insecurity in various parts of the country. I travelled to my rural home on the 21st of December to practice my democratic right through the voting process, with intent to return to Nairobi from where I access care, treatment and support on the 30th of December. I only carried the medication to last me up to 1st of January. Hell broke loose. My plan to travel back to Nairobi and see my Doctor on the 2 of January was unrealistic, as everything including transport, was paralyzed by the unforeseen post-election results' violence. From 1 of January to 14 of January, when I returned to Nairobi, I had a circumstantial break from the crucial life-saving drugs, and this has caused me severe health repercussions. At least I got a re-assurance from my Clinical Doctor that all will be well, but I had to see a counselor to be able to cope with the consequences of post traumatic stress disorder, having lost my own driver who drove me home, in mysterious political incident. What of my sisters who are still stuck somewhere, displaced or physically abused? There has been an upsurge in the number of rape cases reported since the violence erupted at the Gender Violence Recovery centre, but many more cases may have not been reported. More saddening is the fact that, most of the rape/sexual violence survivors cannot reach the health institutions for PEP [post-exposure prophylaxis] response within the required time due to the aforementioned problems.
This is a disaster to most women living with HIV in this country, and I call upon the international, regional, and local communities to consider the following immediate action as we pray for peace and dialogue:
The main lessons I have learned from the whole skirmishes include;
Be safe wherever you are, Kind regards, Selestine Otom |
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