THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY IN CURBING STIGMA & DISCRIMINATION.

By:Juliet Jacqline Awuor Otieno.

LVCT-(PAMOJA SUPPORT

GROUP).

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INTRODUCTION:

• Community provides us with our

social networks and support

structures like our families,

neighbours and health care workers.

• The type of community we have

around us can either make or break

us, especially if we are either

affected or infected by HIV/AIDS.

NEIGHBOURS

VCTPHARMACIST

FAMILY NURSE

RELIGIOUS LEADERS

P.T.C.

DOCTOR

C.C.C

P.L.W.A.

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STIGMA & DISCRIMINATION.

Stigma-• Unfavourable attitudes & beliefs

directed towards someone/ something.

• This is being alienated by the people around

you based on your HIV status.

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Discrimination

• Treatment of a group with

particularity or prejudice.

• Discrimination expresses stigma

whether done on purpose or

unintentionally.

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CONT....

Face of Stigma.• Attitudes & actions• Choice of language• Lack of knowledge and fear fosters stigma• Shame and blame associated with

HIV/AIDS• Stigma can even exist in caring

environments

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SOCIAL STIGMA.

• A great part of social stigma lies with the

communities;

• the people living around us

• Many people living with HIV/AIDS have had

different experiences, related to Stigma &

Discrimination.

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Cont…

• Some people, from having had an

experience with their relatives being

alienated from the entire family;

result to self stigma and avoiding

support from the family by not

disclosing.

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Cont....

• This makes it hard for people to cope

with their HIV status or even

to access health care facilities like;

• VCT and comprehensive care

centers.

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Cont...

• Young people would rather go to a facility

that’s far from where they live –

• to avoid being seen by people they know.

• Some employers also deny their employees

the right to continue working based on their

HIV status.

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CONDOM USAGE.

• Stigma is also evident in condom usage,

• Many people still hold strong belief that condoms

promote promiscuity.

• Therefore is and should be used by and only with

‘prostitutes’ & Casual partners

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CONT...

• This sort of thinking hinders people from

accessing available services for fear of the

community’s comments.

• Programs of HIV prevention that promote

Abstinence only, further worsen the situation

• Religious beliefs also hinder people from

accessing and using condoms.

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Experiences:

• Based on my

experiences

working with the

Kiambiu slum &

Pamoja Support

Group(LVCT),

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EXPERIENCES OF P.L.W.A

• Isolation

• Restricting

participation in family/

local events

• Refusing to have their

children in schools

• Denying support to

bereaved family

members or partners

who have tested

positive.

• Using violence against

a partner/ spouse who

has tested positive.

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Cont....

• Expected to disclose

their status

prematurely

• Labelled as sick

• Given special

treatment in the

family.

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WHY PEOPLE STIGMATIZE

• Lack of knowledge especially on

transmission.

• Fear of rejection

• Cultural beliefs e.g. AIDS-a curse

• Societal attitudes- PLWA’s are

immoral.

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CURBING STIGMA

• DISCLOSURE SHOULD BE VOLUNTARY

• WE CANNOT TELL SOMEONE’S HIV

STATUS BY LOOKING AT THEM

• We should change our attitude towards

PLW HIV/AIDS

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STRATEGIES THAT HAVE WORKED

MAGNET THEATRE- TO

EDUCATE COMMUNITY

MEMBERS ON:-

BASIC FACTS ON HIV/AIDS

STIGMA & DISCRIMINATION

PREVENTION SERVICES

FAMILY COUNSELLING-FOR

FAMILIES OF P.L.W.A’S –

TO HELP THEM COPE WITH

THEIR MEMBER’S STATUS

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POINTING ONE FINGER TO SOMEONE, MEANS THAT

FOUR ARE POINTING BACK AT YOU!!!!!

THANK YOU!

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