Kousalya was married at the age of 19 to her cousin, an alliance finalized to keep property within the family. After only a few weeks of marriage, she realized that her husband had AIDS and had married her knowing very well that she would be affected too. He died within a few months after marriage, leaving her to face a life alone, battling the virus and the social stigma associated with it. Her family disowned her and she was thrown out of the home.
This might have crushed any other person but not Kousalya. She wanted her story to bring light to other women like her who are cheated into marriage and into a life of isolation and ill-health. She came out in the open declaring that she was carrying the virus (she was first woman in India to do so in 1995) and filed a case against her in-laws to claim her rightful share of property. She also formed a network of HIV+ women called Positive Women Network (PWN) to spread awareness and to advocate for their rights.
The PWN now has 30,000 plus women and children in the network and they work towards providing healthcare for those suffering with the illness. They also work with government programs in 13 states to take awareness and support to remote areas of the country. They also offer vocational training and help in sustaining livelihood for patients.
Kousalya’s story proves that adversity in itself can be a life-defining opportunity to draw strength and courage to lead a life of dignity and grace.
