New studies indicate that the contraction of HIV/AIDS is on an alarming high ride amongst aboriginal women. These studies have concluded that aboriginal women make up 49.6 percent of newly diagnosed cases of HIV/AIDS in Canada; this is an extremely high number (Benoit et al., 2003). There is such a great lack of social services for these women as funding continues to get cut.
British Columbia is a very industrialized region of Canada, and until 2001 had a social demographic government; tailoring to the needs of the individuals in the region. This province also used to have the greatest number of human service funding in Canada, however, in 2001 “an explicitly anti-welfare state, neoliberal government was elected, proposing and implementing the deepest cuts to social programs in Canada” ( Baines, 2006. p.22).
A neo-liberal approach is merely economically based, and has no regard for the social aspects of society or the bettering of their people. The neo-liberal ideology is very much to the right side of things; and greatly capitalist. With a neo-liberal government in charge social service funding will continue to get cut, as people are responsible to make changes on their own and take care of themselves. The Native Women’s Association of Canada did exactly that; self organized a program tailor to the needs of these women.
The Native Women’s Association of Canada is launching a program during Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week (Dec 1-5th) called TIPI: Transforming Indigenous Power Inside-out, a new HIV prevention and stigma reduction tool for young women and girls which will be launched in Victoria, British Columbia. The NWAC’s executive director stated that in order to reduce the risk of these women contracting HIV/AIDS we need to get the core of their issues. I quote, “we need to invest in eradicating the roots of poverty, gender violence and discrimination, while also stepping up support for culturally appropriate health prevention and care” (Dumont-Smith, 2012).
When reflecting on the statistics, to me, this is a clear indicator that services addressing the needs of these women are not being met. I am so absolutely discouraged by the number of social services that continue to get funding cuts, leaving help sparse for individuals who may seek it. However, I keep getting inspired by individuals in society who take it upon themselves to ensure people get the help they deserve.
Cassandra
References
Baines, D. (2006). ‘If You Could Change One Thing’: Social Service Workers and Restructuring. Australian Social Work, 59(1), 20-34. doi:10.1080/03124070500449754 Retrieved from: //www.googlescholar.com
Cecilia Benoit., Dena Carroll., & Munaza Chaudhry. (2003). In search of a Healing Place: Aboriginal women in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Social Science & Medicine (56), 821-833.
Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com
Claudette Dumont-Smith. (November 30, 2012). Native’s Women Association of Canada: Still far from zero. Retrieved from: //www.googlescholar.com
I find it to be very depressing - the amount of social services and programs that are being cut, not only in Canada or Ontario, but in Sault Ste. Marie as well!
ReplyDeleteI had a placement with a Psychologist and Speech Pathologist in a previous program. They ran a program called Communication Disorders at the Group Health Centre, and this program was cut. I was a part of this program for 7 months...my placement got cut short because they closed the program. This program was so important to people (children and adults) in our community, and many were saddened from this closure and loss. Especially since there is no other program like this in our community.
It seems as though the programs that are most needed are the ones getting closed these days in our community. Very sad...
Meagan (LGBT)
Hello Cassandra,
ReplyDeleteI like your post.
I find it very interesting that almost half of the Aboriginal women suffer from HIV/AIDS. I think it is not only because they live in poor life conditions, but also because they do not have access to education like other Canadian women do. I defiantly agree with what you have mentioned about how much spreading awareness on that topic is not only important, but is also needed.
-Farah
It really bothers me that there is not the same awareness for Aboriginal women regarding HIV/AIDS as there is for other women in Canada. I feel if women were more aware that the number of individuals with HIV/AIDS would decrease significantly.
ReplyDeleteI also think the government needs to spend more money on projects such as awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS to help protect our citizens.
Karlie
Hi Cassandra,
ReplyDeleteI really agree with Karlie and Farah's comments that there is a serious need for education and it is quite sad that we all do not have the same opportunities to get it. I strongly feel that governments should step up because in the long run prevention is always better. I feel like the money they would be spending in the health care system to help individuals who have contracted HIV would be better put forth in education.
Hoda