Meet a Kenyan lady whose painful life story has sparked debate and renewed attention on HIV stigma, domestic violence, and lack of family support for vulnerable women.
Sharon, as she is known, is a woman living with HIV, a condition she says she was born with and not infected through her own actions.
Sharon is a total orphan who lost both her parents at a young age.
After their death, she was taken in by her aunt. However, life under her aunt’s care was difficult and full of suffering.
According to Sharon, the harsh treatment she experienced pushed her into early marriage as she searched for love, safety, and independence.
At the age of 16, Sharon met a 22-year-old man who fell in love with her and later married her. Before settling down, Sharon disclosed her HIV status to him.
The two reportedly agreed to follow doctors’ advice, continue with treatment, and keep her health status private.
Their marriage was later blessed with a child, and Sharon continued taking her medication consistently.
Trouble began when Sharon’s aunt visited her marital home for a family introduction ceremony.
During the visit, the aunt allegedly revealed Sharon’s HIV status to the entire family without her consent.
This disclosure caused tension and embarrassment.
Sharon claims her mother-in-law confronted her son in her presence, questioning why he chose to marry a woman living with HIV.
The situation quickly escalated, and Sharon was allegedly beaten by her mother-in-law before being forcefully sent away from her matrimonial home together with her 11-month-old baby.
With nowhere to go and no family support, Sharon struggled to survive. Later, she met another man.
Fearing rejection and humiliation, she chose not to disclose her HIV status.
The two agreed to live together and got married shortly after meeting.
However, after about a month, her new mother-in-law insisted on knowing Sharon’s background.
Once again, Sharon was referred to her aunt, who allegedly disclosed her HIV status, leading to the breakdown of the second marriage.
Sharon was forced out once more.
Desperate and homeless, Sharon returned to her first husband, the father of her child.
Although he agreed to take her back, Sharon claims she was violently attacked upon arrival by both him and his mother.
She left the home with serious injuries, while her child was also rejected by the family.
Sharon has since chosen to accept her situation and focus on surviving.
By Meta