Tribute to DP Marina

Tales irregular, but never irrelevant. For we are still Malaysian though our stories differ.
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One of the prominent woman figure in Malaysia would be :

DATIN PADUKA MARINA MAHATHIR

In Malaysia, AIDS victims were fortunate to find a champion in Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir. Datin Paduka Marina was previously the Council (MAC) president and Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) chairman. She worked tirelessly to break down barriers and fought for the rights of people with AIDS.

IN the early years of the AIDS/HIV epidemic, the public had little knowledge of how AIDS spreads and blamed all of it on “undesirable” members of the community – the drug users, gay men and sex workers. These people were shunned and viewed as 'untouchables' or 'pariah'..and were made to stay away from communities.

As time goes by, many were surprised to learn that the virus can infect households of “regular folks”. Normal people can also get AIDS. Datin Paduka Marina started the ball rolling when she became one of the ardent speaker in HIV/AIDS prevention and creating awareness of actual AIDS/HIV facts.



She emphasizes that AIDS/HIV is an infection that is acquired through unsafe action.People who at first thought that only prostitutes will get the virus, are now aware that everyone is at risk. Just because the client stays in a five-star hotel doesn’t make him any less risky than someone who stays in a three-star hotel. Knowing that there is no way to curb prostitution, Datin Paduka Marina tries to make people use safe sex instead. We cannot stop the virus, but we can prevent it from spreading.

Datin Paduka Marina was formerly president of the Malaysian AIDS Council and is a columnist with The Star (Musings with Marina Mahathir). She is also the author of her popular blog, Rantings by MM.


Thank you, Datin Paduka..