Malaysian women with HIV receive RM5,000 grant to kickstart their business

At the high tea, MAF received donations for the financial programme for women with HIV. Pictured here are donors Tina Fazlita Fadzil and Lee with Dr Adeeba, Jamilah, MAF vice president Jasmin Jalil and Ramona. Photos: The Star/Yap Chee Hong

Businesswoman Jamaliah Sulaiman, 58, recently returned from a family holiday in Haatyai, Thailand, refreshed and in high spirits. The mother of four from Klang, Selangor, shared how she indulged in shopping, enjoyed a variety of foods, and picked up gifts for her five grandchildren.

“I’m glad I managed to save some money from my home business as a caterer and bouquet maker to make the trip to Thailand,” she said.

“But, I wouldn’t have been able to kickstart my home business in 2022 without the RM5,000 grant from the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF),” said Jamaliah during MAF’s Poise & Power high tea celebration in Kuala Lumpur recently.

Jamaliah was diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), an infection that attacks the body’s immune system, in 1998.

She is one of the 39 recipients of MAF’s MyLady Assistance Scheme, which offers microcredit business loans to support home-based and small enterprises of women living with HIV.

Jamaliah advises women with HIV not to give up but ‘look for opportunities to move forward’.

The recipients operate a diverse range of businesses, from selling clothes and running homestays to managing food stalls.

The programme also covers training on essential skills such as social media promotions, money management, and photography, empowering women to effectively market their products, manage their finances, and create high-quality visual content.

There are over 15,000 women living with HIV in Malaysia.

So far, 70% of the women enrolled in the scheme have repaid their business loans, and Jamaliah is one of them. During the recent event, she spoke about her experiences as a person living with HIV, and her success as an entrepreneur.

“When I first found out that I had HIV, I felt disappointed ... like my life was over. But, thankfully, with the support of my family and community, I have kept going. Looking at my children, I knew I had to stay positive and live like everyone else.

“My advice for those with HIV is to not give up. Look for opportunities to move forward. Compete healthily and positively. Whatever challenges come your way, just face them. God will guide us,” said Jamaliah.

Before running her business, Jamaliah worked with a non-governmental organisation that supports people living with HIV.

She shared: “MAF MyLady Programme helped me to earn an income and survive. I used the support to start a small business from home. When I got the chance, I didn’t let it slip away.”

Every support counts

The high tea event was to recognise the challenges and triumphs of Malaysian women living with HIV. Themed “Count Her In: Accelerating Gender Equality Through Economic Empowerment,” the event echoed the spirit of International Women’s Day, celebrating women who epitomise grace, strength, and resilience.

During the event, MAF chairman Prof Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman said supporting women with HIV is crucial not just for their health but also for empowerment, combating stigma, and ensuring access to effective treatment and care.

‘MAF has always advocated for the rights of women living with HIV, ensuring they have equitable access to economic opportunities,’ says Dr Adeeba.

“It is crucial to celebrate these women living with HIV. The small but meaningful financial assistance gave them a sense of purpose. It also showed them that there are people who care. Previously, they faced stigma within society.”

Dr Adeeba also highlighted the crucial role of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy which is a combination of medications that specifically target the HIV virus to inhibit its replication and reduce the viral load in the body.

“ARV therapy supports improved physical health, mental well-being, and social functioning, empowering women to pursue their goals, contribute to their communities, and participate fully in society. Access to ARV treatment is a crucial component in the global effort to end the HIV epidemic and enhance the lives of those affected by the virus,” she added.

Also present were Sandakan Member of Parliament and advisor to the Sabah Health Access Programme Vivian Lee Shir Yee, and MAF Borneo and Teratak Kasih patron Tok Nan Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu.

At the event, MAF received donations worth over RM50,000 from Pusat Khidmat Rakyat (represented by Lee), Youth and Sports Ministry (represented by its deputy secretary-general Ramona Mohd Razali) and other donors.

Lee, who is also advisor of the Sabah Health Access Programme, said: “Many people do not realise that women living with HIV face the dual challenge of stigma and discrimination, which isolates them from their communities and creates barriers to accessing healthcare and support services.

“Additionally, gender power imbalances restrict their autonomy and economic opportunities, making it harder for them to achieve economic independence. My advice for those with HIV is not to give up. Look for opportunities to move forward."