HIV/AIDS & the women of Vietnam

I have really enjoyed all aspects of our class.  I think we were exposed to very relevant information but not only was it relevant, it could be life-saving.  I learned new information about health issues that I thought I knew everything about!  I am so thankful for this experience!

There were two very impactful videos we watched this semester.  The sex slave trade film we viewed thoroughly opened my eyes.  I cannot get those women’s situations out of my mind.  This is such widespread problem and truly something I believed to be a small problem.  The numbers of missing and exploited women are growing each year.  Intervention and reform is sorely needed.

But the topic that impacted me the most this semester is HIV/AIDS and serious and widespread this problem is becoming for women.  The video “A Powerful Noise” stunned me.  These devoted, innocent wives are having their whole world destroyed by the choices made by their husbands.  And not only are the wives’ lives being ruined – but their innocent, sweet children are contracting it.  This is so terrible.  I think it struck me so hard because I too am a wife and mother.  I also know several Vietnamese women very well.  They too are devoted mothers who are loyal to their husbands.  They work extremely hard for their families.  They are uneducated and are reliant upon service industries to earn their livings.  Those industries require people to be healthy in order to succeed.  Social change needs to occur in Vietnam.  Education and awareness needs to increase.  HIV/AIDS treatment groups needs to be formed in order to allow these women to maintain their dignity and respect.  The government of Vietnam needs to step in and provide assistance to these families.  This is an outrageous situation.  Another factor involving this issue is the large number of Vietnamese coming here.  We will soon be battling these same issues in our own backyard.  The good news for any new immigrants is we have procedures and assistance in place to help them.  Sadly, however I believe many people are naive about how serious an issue this is.