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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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