Falling through the cracks

Accessing appropriate and quality HIV-related health services in a timely manner was never easy for Putri (a pseudonym), a male to female transgender 26 year-old who lived in West Bali. The relatively low prevalence and incidence of HIV in her district meant it was not considered a priority area for HIV prevention and treatment. As a transgender person Putri occupied an uneasy position in Balinese society, which follows a patriarchal structure where men gain more privileges than women. Putri’s families, relatives and many people around her blamed her for her choice. She was socially punished because she did not conform to societal expectations and for some people this act is simply assumed to be amoral.