|
Stigma
and Discrimination
World
AIDS Day 2002: Live and Let Live
Stigma
is not something new. Stigma has existed a long, long time back. The Holy
Bible tells us of how people with leprosy were treated.
It
has its origins deep within the structure of a society as a whole, and the
norms and values that govern every day life.
Stigma
has been described as a “quality that significantly discredits” an
individual in the eyes of others.
It
also has important consequences for the way in which individuals come to
see
themselves.
Stigmatization
is a process that devaluates a person.
HIV
related stigma builds upon and reinforces earlier negative thoughts.
People with HIV/AIDS are often believed to have deserved their condition
because they did something wrong . By wrong doings we often refer to sex
or particular lifestyle or sexual practices that people have.
We
tend to stereotype people and associate HIV infection with a particular
sexual behaviour. While it is true that the more partners we have our risk
to HIV infection increases, it is unfair to point fingers.
What
about the child who is born HIV infected, the young girl or boy who has
abstained, and through his/her first relationship has become infected?
What about the person who got HIV through rape or abuse?
We
often say, “I ti pe rode…”. Does
anyone really want to have HIV/AIDS?
Often
we use stigmatization statements without really thinking .
Eg.
“Be get manyer ou’n meg! Ou pa ganny sa move malad?
The
word “AIDS” here is not mentioned but implied.
Stigma
is also demonstrated through our action. eg: Not wanting to sit next
to someone suspected of having HIV/AIDS, or even next to their children.
The
way we look at people as if we are stripping them naked. Our silence when
someone who may be HIV positive walks past us.
Our
looks, body language say a great deal.
Discrimination
and stigma go hand in hand because one reinforces the other.
Discrimination is a violation of human right because it denies people
living with HIV/AIDS of their basic rights, eg right to health care,
housing, employment.
Why
do people who are or think they are HIV-negative stigmatize those who are
known or suspected to be HIV-positive?
As
explained earlier, stigma is based on value judgment, of what is right and
what is wrong. “I’M OK
BUT YOU ARE NOT OK”. We point fingers. We learn these things in
every day life… to accept or to reject.
Often
fear and ignorance play are large part in propagating
stigmatization of persons living with HIV and AIDS.
AIDS
is mostly associated with homosexuals and prostitutes or people who are
promiscuous.
What
can people do instead of stigmatizing?
-
Learn
the fact about HIV/AIDS
-
Talk
to people living with HIV/AIDS and get to understand them better
-
Join
a support group
-
Analyze
their own behaviour and find out about their own status.
-
Be
the Christian or religious person they proclaim to be.
What
can PLWHAs do to reduce stigmatization?
-
Access
care. Now that treatment is available, AIDS does not necessarily have
to be a deadly disease. Help change that image.
-
Counselling
and support to build up morale and self esteem.
-
Join
other PLWHAs and become a strong body.
-
Learn
more about HIV/AIDS
-
Be
an educator on HIV/AIDS
Why
is stigmatization a concern?
-
Stigma
and discrimination hurt those who are infected their families and
friends.
-
It
lowers the self esteem and self worth of people
-
It
discourages people living with HIV from fulfilling their potentials
and behaving responsibly. PLWHAs may not want to get involved in activities that
will put their identity at risk, eg NGO work.
-
It
promotes denial. PLWHAs
may not want to be associated with HIV/AIDS. (once tested, they may
not come for follow up or even the confirmatory test.
Since
there is denial, they may put their own lives and the lives of others at
risk.
eg.
A HIV positive mother may choose to breastfeed her baby so as not to
arouse suspicion. A HIV positive partner may choose not to use a condom so
as not to have to answer questions from his/her partner.
-
It
adds fuel to the HIV epidemic. People are afraid to come forward to
get tested because they fear the reaction of others if they discover
they are HIV positive.
-
It
prevents people from seeking care as they may not want to be seen
going to CDCU.
-
It
prevents the infected and affected to assist in prevention and
advocacy work.
In
other words, stigmatization and discrimination add fuel to the HIV/AIDS
epidemic.
Therefore,
Live and Let Live!
gm 25/11/02
|
