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

PEPFAR Pledges $2B to Support HIV-Affected Women and Girls

-
Image
Nearly $200 million of the pledge will go to DREAMS programs in Africa and the Caribbean reports Caroline Tien. In an effort to support gender equality, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) pledged over $2 billion this year to support women and girls affected by HIV/AIDS. Founded in 2003, PEPFAR has invested over $85 billion dollars so far in the global fight against HIV. Nearly $200 million of the multibillion-dollar investment will be channeled into DREAMS programming for adolescent girls and young women,  according to a PEPFAR press release . DREAMS is PEPFAR’s public-private partnership with organizations that include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Girl Effect, Johnson & Johnson, Gilead Sciences, and ViiV Healthcare. Since 2015, DREAMS has provided more than $800 million to women and girls living in Africa and the Caribbean, which respectively have the highest and second-highest prevalence of HIV in the world. Alr...
Read more

Dance If You Cannot Afford The Gym!

-
Image
Create space at home for conducting healing dances There is a power that the drum, rhythm and pattern draw into one watching a dancing performance. You will agree with me that dance moves can emotionally move one to upliftment, joy, laughter, awe, inspiration and admiration. That is the beauty of dance. Create spaces for members at your household to participate in dancing even as they watch others move in delicate and sometimes very complicated dance moves. Some moves require deep breathing, moving of arms, twisting one’s hips and breaking a bone here or there as it were. Dance can make one gain their physical strength and mental clarity. Dance is transformative and healing opportunity. There are some people who consider dancing as a cure for much of what ails us. It may not be the answer to every health crisis, but there's no doubt that it has its benefits to the body and mind in many ways. Some of the physical effects of dance are that it improves...
Read more