Region: Asia and the Pacific Islands
Nationality: Malaysia
Country: Malaysia
Interests & expertise: Gender
Profession or occupation: Educator/trainer
What inspires you to work in the HIV field?
I started in this field as a volunteer, working primarily with men who have sex with men and young children. I heard someone say that kids living with HIV should never know why they have to take their pills every night: “Let's just tell them it’s vitamins." That was when I realized how problematic our perceptions and treatment of people living with HIV are in Malaysia, and how they'd have to hide in the dark out of fear of being stigmatized and discriminated against.
Men who have sex with men and trans individuals living with HIV are also unable to secure basic access to decent employment, non-judgemental healthcare and even education. So, I want to be able to work towards changing that – from within ourselves towards the larger population, the community and the system at large.
What are your goals as an IAS change maker?
I want to learn how to build myself up and enhance my self-confidence to speak up for those who choose not to for themselves out of their own fears and frustrations, which are valid. And for those who do speak up, I want to be trained to help them amplify THEIR voices and give them the space, resources and tools they need to speak up for themselves. I want to be a rightful ally who will support and be there for the HIV and AIDS community whenever they need me to, without invading their spaces and drowning their voices.