BREAKING THE SILENCE

MELA ADANE, PSI ETHIOPIA’S YOUTH INNOVATION CHAMPION, FIGHTS AGAINST HIV/AIDS STIGMA IN ETHIOPIA.

Author: Fana Abay, Marketing and Communications Director, PSI Ethiopia and Mela Adane

Meet Mela Adane*, a courageous and resilient young woman who has made it her mission to break the silence around HIV/AIDS stigma. As PSI Ethiopia’s Youth Innovation Champion, Mela’s personal journey is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of storytelling and confronting societal taboos.

From an early age, Mela’s life was overshadowed by the muted whispers of HIV/AIDS. Living in a society where discussions about the virus were rare, she was confronted with the harsh reality in her own family as a teenager. The accidental discovery of her father’s HIV-positive status through medication labels shattered Mela’s innocence. Her journey took an even deeper turn when her mother also became a victim of the virus and had to deal not only with the physical consequences but also with social condemnation and discrimination.

“I offered to cook for my mother when I realized she hadn’t eaten much. Her hopeless eyes met mine as she said, ‘I’d rather be dead than live like this.’ That was a difficult moment,” Mela recounted.

“I grew up with HIV-infected parents and witnessed the impact it had on their mental health. The stigma and shame that came with the disease often forced them into isolation. They shielded them from the judgment of society. Witnessing this first-hand was incredibly challenging,” she adds.

Driven by her parents’ isolation and despair, Mela set out to break the chains of stigma that shackled her community. Today, in her mid-20s, Mela is an example of resilience. Through her unwavering determination and the combined efforts of organizations like PSI Ethiopia, she has witnessed a remarkable shift in attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS. The once impenetrable walls of stigma are beginning to crumble thanks to tireless awareness campaigns.

Mela’s story inspires and encourages countless people to choose empathy over judgment and compassion over stigma. By breaking the silence and sharing her journey, Mela Adane continues to pave the way for a more inclusive and compassionate society where stigma has no power, and everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Meet Mela Adane* — Names have been changed for privacy.