by Amina Said

13 April 2007

Ha Noi, Vietnam: “Women and children are most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.  As a woman, I feel encouraged when I am empowered to speak out about my daily life and our everyday work …”

This is the voice of Bui My Hanh, a young woman who lost both her daughter and husband to AIDS.  Not just that, she was ostracized by her family, friends and community when they found out that she was HIV positive.

This did not turn her down for long.  Hanh devoted her energy to starting a self-help group for people affected by HIV/AIDS.  Immortal Flower has organized numerous advocacy and outreach activities in Van Don and Quang Ninh.

“Afflicted people usually hide themselves and that says something about the community.  I feel empowered”, Hanh says confidently when talking about her work as a Community Exchange Volunteer with UNV.  As part of the Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS project, a joint effort of the United Nations Volunteers, United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS and the Vietnamese Women’s Union, she contributes to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Viet Nam’s four major cities and provinces.

Bui My Hanh stars in “I am powerful”, a documentary being produced by CARE Iternational for International Women’s Day 2008, showcasing the personal stories of three empowered women in Viet Nam, Mali and Bosnia – their struggles and their triumphs.