In Kyrgyzstan, 80 percent of women living with HIV/AIDS are intravenous drug-users, denied medical and social assistance because of stigma.

Why we care: In Kyrgyzstan, women drug-users living with HIV/AIDS lack access to basic services for themselves and their children.

How we are solving this: Asteria provides leadership and self-empowerment trainings and refers HIV positive women to adequate medical and social services.

In addition to stigma about drug abuse and HIV/AIDS, homelessness is rife among women drug-users, while complex bureaucracy requires a registered residency to obtain identification documents. Without IDs women aren’t eligible to receive much-needed medical services from the state. The resulting lack of anti-retroviral treatment, gynecological, and other medical services is devastating, further isolating women and aggravating the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Asteria Foundation provides vital services and is changing harmful stereotypes of women drug-users and those living with HIV/AIDS. Asteria organizes self-empowerment workshops with a group of psychologists in Chui and Osh provinces of Kyrgyzstan that inform women of their rights and build confidence. Since 2007, 1,500 women and children have received their services.

This year, alongside self-empowerment trainings, Asteria is planning to create a photo exhibit that will feature portraits of 20 women drug-users living with HIV/AIDS. The exhibit will paint the reality of these women’s lives, revealing their daily struggles and successes. The group will also produce educational videos to inform women in rural areas of their rights and where they can access affordable health services. In addition, Asteria has operated a shelter since 2009 that houses women facing difficulties, and their children. Funding has been unstable and the shelter is under constant threat of closure. The group has saved money and hopes that this year it will be able to purchase a building with eight rooms to ensure that women with children in need always have a safe place where they can access necessary services.