Vanlalruati Colney: A Beacon of Hope for People Living with HIV in Mizoram

Vanlalruati Colney, a resilient advocate in Mizoram, is making a difference for those living with HIV, offering support and hope through her organization, the Positive Women’s Network of Mizoram (PWNM). Having faced both drug addiction and an HIV-positive diagnosis, Colney now leads an initiative that provides medical assistance, rehabilitation, nutritional support, legal advice, counseling, and employment opportunities to people affected by HIV.

Mizoram, a state with a significant HIV/AIDS epidemic, is home to over 25,000 registered people living with HIV (PLHIV), 33.86% of whom are women. Colney, one of these women, has emerged as a source of hope for many, overcoming her own challenges to now help others living with the disease. Since its inception in 2007, PWNM has been leading efforts to raise awareness, provide medical support, and create opportunities for those living with HIV.

Colney’s personal journey with HIV began with a series of hardships. Growing up in a comfortable middle-class home in Aizawl, her life took a dramatic turn after the sudden death of her father. The family’s financial situation worsened, and Colney, at 18, became involved in a relationship with a drug user, which led her into addiction. Eventually, after ending that relationship, she was diagnosed with HIV following a hospitalization for herpes zoster. The diagnosis, compounded by stigma, discrimination, and isolation at the hospital, was a difficult experience, but it marked the beginning of her transformation.

Determined to turn her life around, Colney quit drugs cold turkey and joined a rehabilitation camp at her church. Without facing stigma from her family or friends, she found new purpose in helping others, especially women living with HIV who were often marginalized. She began working with local NGOs and community groups to offer counseling, peer support, and training to HIV-positive women.

Colney later founded the Positive Women’s Network of Mizoram (PWNM), a platform where HIV-positive women could support one another. Despite limited resources, the group reached out to those affected by HIV, including women, children, sex workers, and drug users, providing counseling and guidance. The organization eventually gained recognition from the Mizoram State AIDS Control Society, which supported PWNM in running a drop-in center for HIV patients offering various services, including counseling and legal advice.

With additional funding and partnerships, PWNM expanded its reach and impact. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the group stepped up to assist with drug rehabilitation, distribute ARV medications, and provide essential services to those affected by HIV. By collaborating with a wide range of organizations, including UNAIDS, the Mizoram State AIDS Control Society, and the National AIDS Research Institute, PWNM has helped thousands of women across the state.

Colney’s commitment to the cause has earned her recognition, including the CII Foundation Woman Exemplar Award in 2019. She continues to advocate for HIV awareness and support for those living with the disease, emphasizing that HIV is not a death sentence. Colney, who is also HIV-positive, encourages people to seek timely treatment, be open about their feelings, and live life with courage and hope.

Today, she works alongside her husband, also HIV-positive, and their HIV-negative teenage son. Colney’s message is clear: with early diagnosis, regular treatment, and community support, people with HIV can lead fulfilling lives.