The document discusses addressing denial, stigma, and discrimination faced by people living with HIV/AIDS. It shares experiences of various organizations that have created more enabling environments through approaches like increasing openness, counseling family members, training healthcare workers, and empowering people living with HIV/AIDS. It also recommends forming a group called AAROHII to document work on stigma and discrimination and influence policies to reduce it.

1. Denial, Stigma & Discrimination Dr. Rajesh Gopal Gujarat SACS, Ahmedabad

2. Consolidated Reply and Action Group Work by AIDS Community

3. Query Summary Share experiences on how members have addressed the problem of Denial, Stigma and Discrimination. Requested innovative approaches, success cases, and lessons learned from programs that have created an enabling environment for People Living with HIV

4. Consolidated Reply – Forms of DSD Being denied obstetric, dental, surgical or medical treatment; Being removed from employment; Being ridiculed by friends and neighbours; Being evicted by landlords; Not allowed to use bathrooms, share food or utensils at the workplace. After death, being buried unceremoniously in polythene bags Confidentiality being compromised by aggressive media coverage LGBTs lacked consideration in national policy discussions

5. Consolidated Reply – Addressing DSD Develop openness in discussing sexuality issues – NIPASHA+, SAHODARAN, Udaan Trust. Incorporate all stakeholders, particularly family members and medical personnel, in de-stigmatization efforts — INP+, MNP+, Bengal Network of Positive people. Provide constant counselling to families of HIV positive persons – INP+ Train and sensitize health care workers, and ensure strict vigilance against discrimination at health facilities – DNP+, SWAM .

6. Consolidated Reply – Addressing DSD Offer greater visibility to PLHIV by encouraging them to come out in open and by enhancing their educational and technical skills – Network for Chennai People Living with HIV and AIDS, TNP+, DNP+, Heroes Project, INP+, Positive Peoples’ Foundation. Sensitize media professionals – Network for Chennai People Living with HIV and AIDS, MNP+, CPK+. Simplify information on HIV and AIDS, making it user friendly and avoiding fear-based messages – Positive Peoples’ Foundation, Bethesda Youth Welfare Centre, SATHII, Udaan Trust . Spread awareness countering the various myths about HIV — TNP+, Bengal Network of Positive People, Bethesda Youth Welfare Centre, SAATHII

7. Consolidated Reply – Addressing DSD Give public recognition to HIV positive persons who have successfully countered stigma and discrimination. Encourage NGOs and CBOs to deal with stigma and discrimination in their own organizations, including how to maintain confidentiality. Advocate with Government and influential decision makers for increasing accessibility to treatment facilities and for making Anti Retroviral Therapy free or available at nominal rates.

8. Given the intimate links between stigma and discrimination, intervention on two fronts is needed: Action to prevent and challenge stigma and discrimination where they occur Action to monitor discriminatory acts and to provide redress for those affected Translating knowledge to Action

9. Efforts need to be taken to make good Gaps in people’s understanding and awareness Gaps in services and service accessibility Gaps in redress for the infringement of rights Translating knowledge to Action Services Required Establishment of community-based legal aid services Training and support for existing legal aid institutions Training for members of NGOs and CBOs in HIV and humans rights concerns

10. Beyond a Legal Response Laws are ‘dead letters’ unless supported by community values and expectations Efforts need to be made to challenge stigmatizing beliefs and practices Limits to individual ‘enlightenment’ approaches Unleashing and supporting the power of resistance Supportive structural and environmental interventions Translating knowledge to Action

11. Some Research Priorities Effective strategies for stigma prevention Effective strategies for action where stigma persists and is acted upon Effective strategies for tackling stigma induced discrimination Effective strategies for the kind of community mobilization that are effective in preventing and reducing stigma Translating knowledge to Action

12. Some Action Goals Prevent HIV related stigma Challenge HIV related stigma and discrimination where it occurs Where stigma is enacted and discrimination ensues, provide access to appropriate forms of redress Work towards a transformed social climate in which HIV related discrimination is no longer tolerated. Translating knowledge to Action

13. AGM Recommendations: To form a group named AAROHII. AAROHII would document all the work on stigma and discrimination and update it periodically The need for recognition of AAROHII and thereby credibility as the key national partnership addressing stigma and discrimination. A secretariat for AAROHI to give it sustainability and a long term prospect was proposed as this would effectively address issues of stigma at the national level over time. Translating knowledge to Action

14. AAROHII Objectives: To expand the base of people and organizations to address Stigma and Discrimination. To influence policy and programmes to reduce Stigma and Discrimination. To facilitate, support and strengthen responses that address Stigma and Discrimination. To develop and strengthen the evidence base for action and advocacy. To recognize new and innovative approaches that has reduced Stigma and Discrimination. To organize regional and national level consultation meetings for sharing and learning Translating knowledge to Action

15. An overwhelming response to a query Stigma was the biggest problem Prepare a comprehensive programme Action Group Meeting Creation of AAROHII Maximize their impact individually and collectively Drawn up constitution, objectives & a vision for India Project translates objectives into activities Nominated itself for the first Red Ribbon Award Translating knowledge to Action

16. Activities and Proposed Action Group Work by Gujarat State AIDS Control Society

17. Utilization of existing Legal provisions (DMR-OA Act) Action against HCPs for denying services to PLHIV Influencing Policy to minimize Discrimination Mainstreaming of HIV (SCA) Advocacy and sensitization of service providers Media and Police advocacy Strengthening and facilitation of the activities of GSNP+ More services beyond NACP II through PPP, State government and other charitable organizations. Initiatives in Gujurat

18. Facilitation of Network for PLHIV in other states Advocacy with the Legal Services authority of the State Formation of Human Rights Centre at the State Level Sexuality and HIV Resource Centre Normalization of HIV through involvement of Celebrity Strengthening the service provision as an incentive for ‘coming out’ Replication in other States

19. Thank You AIDS Community [email_address] [email_address]