Addressing HIV related Stigma and Discrimination in the
- Slides: 13
Addressing HIV related Stigma and Discrimination in the world of work S. Mohammad Afsar Senior Technical Specialist ILO/AIDS, Geneva
Statements for discussion
• People with HIV infection should be isolated to prevent further transmission. • AIDS is mainly a problem of people with immoral behaviour. • There should be compulsory testing for HIV to prevent the spread of HIV. • A person living with HIV must disclose his/her status. • Women with HIV infection should not have children.
• Les personnes infectées par le VIH devraient être isolées pour empêcher la propagation. • Le sida est essentiellement un problème de personnes ayant un comportement immoral. • Il devrait y avoir un test obligatoire de dépistage du VIH afin de prévenir la propagation du VIH. • Une personne vivant avec le VIH doit divulguer son statut. • Les femmes infectées par le VIH ne devraient pas avoir d'enfants.
Key reasons for Stigma & Discrimination: • HIV/AIDS often seen from the moralistic lens - Only people with promiscuous/immoral behaviour get HIV/AIDS • Due to ignorance- There are many myths about routes of HIV transmission
Stigma & discrimination at workplace: • Termination of services on the basis of HIV status • HIV screening for recruitment and to remain in job • Denial of promotion, benefits, opportunities etc. • Non-cooperation by colleagues and management • Forced early retirement
ILO Study on socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS in India • Conducted by PLHIV networks in Delhi, Maharashtra, Manipur and Tamil Nadu • About 70% reported having faced discrimination • Women (74%) faced more discrimination than men (68%) • Nearly 33% faced discriminated by family • Nearly 32 % faced discrimination in health care settings • Six percent reported discriminated in workplace
“After my family knew about my HIV status, they immediately kept my glass, plates, clothes, etc. , separate and I was given a separate room. ” A male respondent from Delhi
“The hospital staff has given us a yellow card so that people can easily identify us as HIV+” “The doctor asked my spouse to administer injection and saline fluids on his own” “The remarks made by the hospital staff made me feel very ashamed” - Women respondents from Tamil Nadu
Discrimination at workplace: • 6% reported discrimination at workplace. Could be higher as many did not disclose their HIV status to employers for fear of losing job • Denial of promotion, voluntary retirement etc. , were some of the forms of discrimination • Discrimination by co-workers were also cited as main reason for changing jobs frequently (8%) • Confidentiality norms are not being followed at workplaces
Future concerns of PLHIV: • Affordable anti-retroviral therapy and medicines • Well being of children in the future • Steady source of income and continued • Employment • Reduce HIV/AIDS related stigma & discrimination
Key lessons: • Fighting Stigma and discrimination is a good strategy for HIV prevention • Integration of PLHIV helps the programme. Isolation is counter- productive • Non-discriminatory workplace HIV/AIDS policy creates an enabling environment for PLHIV to access care and support services and encourages voluntary testing
Key message of a person living with HIV
- Flat addressing vs hierarchical addressing
- Two types of physical fitness
- Skill related fitness
- Classes with three or more grade levels are called
- Inc
- Part of flower comprising stigma style and ovary
- Different parts of a plant and their functions
- Stigma ovaio
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- The mark
- Stigma image
- Associatief stigma
- Symbolic stigma
- Stigma image