DMI preaches restraint to curb HIV spread
Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI) social work coordinator for Mangochi, sister Mary Vasantha, has asked people in the diocese, especially women, to exercise self-restraint as one way of containing the spread of HIV and Aids.
Vasantha said self-discipline was an important ingredient of containing the spread of the virus which causes Aids and that self retrospection can sustaining some of the gains the fight against the pandemic has registered over the years.
Vasantha was speaking Tuesday at the headquarters of village headman Kalonga in the area of Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi when DMI organised activities to mark the commemoration of World Aids Day which falls on December 1.
Said Vasantha: “On the perspective of DMI Women’s World, we would like to advocate f adherence to self-discipline as one of the pillars to maintain the status quo where new infections seem to be on the lower side.
“On other front, self restraint would also contribute to the efforts of mitigating the impact of HIV and Aids through care, support and treatment.”
She added that most women that DMI works with in its community outreach activities have directly or indirectly been affected by HIV and Aids; hence, the call to strive for high moral values.
Speaking earlier, DMI spiritual director, Fr. Marie Benjamin called on people to support women as they play a very crucial role in pursuit of meaningful and sustainable national development.
“God created a woman as the essence or foundation of life. Every woman should be respected as a replica of Mother Mary who bore Jesus Christ. Further to that, quality of love in a family and unity is derived from a woman,” he said. n
