Stigma and Discrimination
Stigma and Discrimination
 | This initiative aims to increase the impact of the response to stigma and discrimination by: facilitating and supporting information exchange, discussion and transparency among HIV and AIDS actors worldwide; documenting stigma issues at HIV and AIDS-related events; increasing coordinated participation of new and existing partners; facilitating long-distance learning; and encouraging exchange of ideas. Download this publication |
| The countries of Asia and the Pacific stand at a crossroads, facing two diverging routes to the future. One route is “business as usual”. Though the easiest and cheapest route to take at the beginning, it ends up in rising levels of HIV infection and a toll far higher than the estimated 500 000 AIDS-related deaths that occurred in the region during 2004. The other route is one of determined prevention and care initiatives. Harder and more expensive at the beginning, it ends up stopping the epidemic in its tracks, and minimizing both its human and economic costs. Download this publication |
| From the start of the AIDS epidemic, stigma and discrimination have fuelled the trans- mission of HIV and have greatly increased the negative impact associated with the epidemic. HIV-related stigma and discrimination continue to be manifest in every country and region of the world, creating major barriers to preventing further infection, alleviating impact and providing adequate care, support and treatment. Download this publication |
| From July 2001 to November 2002, the Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (APN+) conducted the first regional documentation of AIDS-related discrimination in Asia. The project is an action-based, peer-led study that aimed to develop an understanding of the nature, pattern and extent of AIDS-related discrimination in several Asian countries. The project was designed and implemented by people living with HIV (positive people) and received ethical approval and funding from UNAIDS. Download this publication |
| Bangladesh is at a critical moment in its emerging epidemic of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the population remains relatively low by official estimates, yet several factors suggest the risk of a devastating epidemic. Bangladesh is neighbor to major epidemics in India and Southeast Asia, and there is a good deal of migration across national borders. Bangladesh has a high rate of poverty, systemic gender inequality, and an inadequate health care system. Download this publication |
| The HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome) epidemic in India is a rapidly escalating crisis. The government’s estimate that about 4 million persons in the country are HIV-positive is widely thought to understate the true figure. Throughout the country, persons in traditionally high-risk groups, including women in prostitution, injecting drug users, and men who have sex with men, have been shown to have alarmingly high rates of infection. In several states of India, such as Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, the epidemic has spread to the general population. Programs that provide information, condoms and HIV testing to persons in high-risk groups are crucial to preventing the further spread of the disease. Download this publication |
| Stigma and discrimination present major challenges to the successful implementa- tion of workplace HIV/AIDS programs. Stigma is defined as a social process that marginalizes and labels those who are different, and discrimination is defined as the negative practices that stem from stigma, or “enacted” stigma. In the workplace, employees may suffer from HIV-related stigma from their co-workers and supervisors, such as social isolation and ridicule, or experience discriminatory practices, such as being fired from their jobs. The fear of negative reactions from colleagues and employers may discourage workers from undergoing voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) and seeking available prevention and care services. Download this publication |
| Stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS are the greatest barriers to prevent- ing further infections, providing adequate care, support and treatment and alleviating impact. HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination are universal, occurring in every country and region of the world. They are triggered by many forces, including lack of understanding of the disease, myths about how HIV is transmitted, prejudice, lack of treatment, irresponsible media reporting on the epidemic, the fact that AIDS is incurable, social fears about sexuality, fears relating to illness and death, and fears about illicit drugs and injecting drug use. Download this publication |
| Stigma and discrimination on the basis of HIV status or AIDS is a trend that has been associated with HIV/AIDS since the early days of the epidemic. Download this publication |
