Concerned About HIV, HIV Laws, Stigma and Discrimination

-
“Why are you so concerned about HIV, HIV Laws, Stigma and Discrimination?” A reader asked. 

We answered that it was important to unravel the skein of interlinking issues. HIV is a killer disease and once it has infected a human being, we all have to put on the hat of compassion. I would have said “period’ out loud because that is the right time to say it. Not only do we have to put on the hat of compassion but avoiding stigmatizing and discriminating such persons by word, action or inaction. 

HIV is a debilitating disease, it attacks the immune system thereby rendering one living with it vulnerable to infections they would otherwise fend off. When the person does not receive medication, it may lead to death. AIDS transmission is criminalized, therefore a person who has HIV-AIDS must check to know status and always protect her/himself and those around her/him. Many people living with HIV face stigma and discrimination due to fears and attributes of denigration. But, Human rights activism is changing all that and in this day and age, we need a more humane care for those living with HIV that criminalization.

When HIV comes into play, we have to have the four F’s at the back of our minds. We explored the circumstances around HIV and health. As much as possible due diligence during care is required. But in the event of Public health meeting with commission of law, there is a challenge. There is a thin line between obstruction of Law enforcement around the Four F’s. Check out our group discussions on how this arises in our  Whatsapp Group Discussion On Health Seeking Practices Veers Toward HIV Criminalization. 

Endemic stigma demotivates parents, educators, leaders and religious persons from carrying out proactive care for those with HIV especially if they find out they are also sex-workers, LGBTIQQ or drug abusers and young unmarried sexually active individuals.

Discrimination entrenches the punitive and deprives those labeled different the services they would need to address needs. It may also deprive them of companionship and belongingness they need to enjoy as human beings. This may mean they are deprived of basics in life ranging from housing, food to social amenities. In the case of Persons living with HIV, we outlined in  HIV Is Impacted By The Foods We Eat, how food is important in building or repairing the body tissues and providing energy. 


This pretty much summarizes why we have that obsession for HIV, HIV Laws, Stigma and Discrimination.




















Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sexual and Reproductive health Is Business You Should Mind About!

-
Image
Sexual and Reproductive health Is Business You Should Mind About! We have sexual rights, reproductive responsibilities; body agency, autonomy and self-determination goals. The dignity of humanity and the reward for healthy goals is possible when we participate in understanding who and what we are. We deploy this to negotiate for life enhancing practices or resources. Sexual health as a resource is one area we are striving to share with our beneficiaries with aim of breaking it down for them as an empowering tool for quality life experiences. Sexual and reproductive health is a resource one uses to participate in quality life experiences and self-determination. According to the American Sexual Health Association, “ sexual health is the ability to embrace and enjoy our sexuality throughout our lives. It is an important part of our physical and emotional health. Being sexually healthy means: Understanding that sexuality is a natural part of life and involves more
Read more

Celebrating International Day of Living Together In Peace,16th May 2020

-
Image
We are so happy to celebrate WALAI team, animating "living together in peace!" After the recently concluded COVID-19 Loser Africa "Do No Harm" Campaign, we resolved to create Prevention Communities of Best Practices. We want to make our communities tolerate us. We join hands and hope this relationship will be built around creating and owning self esteem narratives as CBO groups willing to "take health in their hands!" We hope that all other LGBTIQQ leaders will be pleased to support our narrative. Our appeal goes out to some out there who are prone to toxicity and negativity for once to think harder. Don't talk behind our backs, don't stick daggers in our backs. Health is a beneficial resource which can enable us build a support system from scratch. Support us as we posit the following: LGBTIQQ Identity Can Be Used For Creating Self Esteem in Homestead Communities Through Strategic Self-Esteem and Rapport Building Activities
Read more

Most At Risk Populations' Society in Uganda ( MARPs in Uganda) Joins Other African Grassroots-Based CBOs To Promote Child Well-being Campaigns For 30 Days

-
Image
A Born Well Child Campaign 9 th  June- 8 th  July 2020 COVID-19 and Aggression toward Children When you are an adult and that child cannot access hand-washing materials due to your actions or inaction, then that is a COVID-19 related vulnerability and aggression.  We must provide opportunities for children to grow and develop well. Every child has the right to be born well, to be cared for and raised well. When you are a family and the children cannot access food, care, love, compassion, privacy, agency, autonomy and self-determination tools, then that is aggression. When you are a community and that community cannot provide the necessary safety nets to avoid COVID-19, then that is aggression. There are different  types of abuses: ·           Physical abuse. ·           sexual child abuse (Rape, molestation, child pornography) ·           Neglect (Physical neglect, educational neglect, and lack of protection from diseases) ·           Emotional abuse (Verbal, Me
Read more