This document discusses the role of community in curbing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS. It outlines how community support structures like families, neighbors, and healthcare workers can either help or hinder those affected by HIV/AIDS. The document then defines stigma and discrimination and discusses how stigma is expressed through attitudes, language, and lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS. It also examines how social stigma from communities can prevent people from accessing healthcare and support services due to fear of being seen by others. Finally, it discusses some strategies that have helped curb stigma, such as community education programs and family counseling services.
What Makes Institutional Strengthening Work: NOPE’s Experience
The role of community in curbing stigma & discrimination liverpool vct pamoja support group
1. THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY IN
CURBING STIGMA &
DISCRIMINATION.
By:
Juliet Jacqline
Awuor Otieno.
LVCT-
(PAMOJA SUPPORT
GROUP).
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2. 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
VCT
PHARMACIST
FAMILY NURSE
RELIGIOUS
LEADERS
P.T.C.
DOCTOR
C.C.C
P.L.W.
A.
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4. Discrimination
• Treatment of a group with
particularity or prejudice.
• Discrimination expresses stigma
whether done on purpose or
unintentionally.
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5. 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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6. 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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7. 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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8. 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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9. 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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10. 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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11. 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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12. Experiences:
• Based on my
experiences
working with the
Kiambiu slum &
Pamoja Support
Group(LVCT),
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13. 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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15. 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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16. 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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17. 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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18. POINTING ONE FINGER TO
SOMEONE, MEANS THAT
FOUR ARE POINTING
BACK AT YOU!!!!!
THANK YOU!
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