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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3. 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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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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14. Cont....
• Expected to
disclose their
status prematurely
• Labelled as sick
• Given special
treatment in the
family.
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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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