BY Mariana Iacono
English translation below
En julio, en Costa Rica, en la reunión de reflexión de RESURJ, estuvimos reflexionando acerca de la criminalización en diferentes poblaciones. En mi caso particular pertenezco a la Comunidad Internacional de Mujeres con VIH (Argentina). En lo referente a nuestra agenda: VIH. Mencionamos la criminalización de la transmisión sexual del VIH, un tema súper tratado. Que tiene redes que abordan directamente el tema. Como la criminalización por la transmisión de VIH en mujeres en relación al embarazo, parto y sobre todo la lactancia.
La criminalización del VIH en la lactancia no es un tema nuevo, viene estando en agenda hace unos años. Pero en términos de derechos reproductivos, y derecho a tener múltiples opciones a la hora de decidir cómo amamantar, si es un tema nuevo.
Un mes después de nuestro diálogo en Costa rica, me contacto una mujer de Argentina mencionando que estaba embarazada, que quería amamantar, que investigó todo acerca de la lactancia, y la lactancia en casos de indetectable= intransmisible (la persona con VIH toma medicación, su carga viral es indetectable, y no transmite el VIH). La clínica no quería permitir que se produjera el amamantamiento. Judicializar el caso. Un caso inmediato de criminalización en nuestro país. El tema está siendo abordado desde una perspectiva de derechos humanos y vamos a luchar contra la criminalización. Para más información siga la campaña “Not a Criminal”
English translation
In July, in Costa Rica, at RESURJ’s Cross Regional Dialogue for Feminist Lawyers and Activists, we were reflecting on the criminalization of different populations. In my particular case, I belong to the International Community of Women with HIV (Argentina). Our agenda revolves around HIV and the criminalization of the sexual transmission of HIV – a subject that is frequently discussed. We also have networks that directly address related issues such as the criminalization of HIV/transmission in women in relation to pregnancy, childbirth and especially breastfeeding.
The criminalization of HIV in breastfeeding is not a new issue. But in terms of reproductive rights, and the right to have multiple options when deciding how to breastfeed, it is a new issue.
A month after our dialogue in Costa Rica, I was contacted by a woman from Argentina living with HIV. She mentioned that she was pregnant and that she wanted to breastfeed. She said she had researched breastfeeding, and discovered that when a person with HIV takes medication, their viral load is undetectable and they do not transmit HIV. However, the clinic did not want to allow breastfeeding to occur. This was an immediate case of criminalization in our country. The clinic where the woman was being treated prosecuted the case to prevent the right to breastfeeding from being guaranteed. The issue was approached from a human rights perspective. We appealed and the woman was able to breastfeed.
There are a few specific cases of HIV criminalization in Argentina. In the case of breastfeeding women with HIV, it is the first time that we have had contact with a case of criminalization. We will continue our fight against the criminalization of communities affected by HIV.
For more information, follow the campaign “Not a Criminal“.