Stigma and Discrimination

1. Stigma and Discrimination Gede Foundation

2. Discussion guides • Definition • Types of stigma and discrimination • Effects • What people say about stigma and discrimination • Possible ways of combating stigma/discrimination

3. Stigma • An attribute of a person that is considered unacceptable • A mark of shame or discredit on a person or a group based on perceived or felt disadvantaged condition - These conditions can be cross-cutting TB,HIV/AIDS, Gender, Faith, Economics, Sexual,,,

4. Types of stigma • Self-stigma: how people feel about themselves • Felt-stigma: perceptions or feelings toward other people, such as PLHA, TB,STIs, physically challenged • Enacted stigma or discrimination: actions associate with those feelings based on perception from others

5. How does it affect us? • May avoid testing, treatment or prevention activities because they are scared of stigma • More social isolation, distress, and socio-economic problems • People have views about PLHA and act according to those views • Conscious: ex. Assuming someone will ,,,,,,, • Unconsciously: ex. avoiding the person ,,,,,, • Health care providers may make assumptions, provide substandard care, may not practice confidentiality, etc. • Stigma enables people to believe they are not at risk to HIV infection etc

6. Some tips! • Recent survey have demonstrated that people still believe HIV transmission is through casual contact • 40% believed that sharing a drinking glass with a PLHA put them at risk to HIV infection • 25-30% of people surveyed will not send their children to school with children infected with HIV • 20% believed that people who got infected through sex or drug use,,,got what they deserve” Health central publications,,,2008

7. What is discrimination? • Discrimination happens when a person is treated unfairly because of a particular attribute • Race • Religious affiliation • Health status • Economic status • Others? • Stigma and discrimination go hand-in-hand

8. Our own experience as stigmatized and stigmatized exercise (1) • On your own: Think about a time in your life when you felt isolated or rejected for being seen to be different from others -- or when you saw others treated this way. • Think about what happened • How did it feel? • What impact did it have on you? • Lets discuss on the cause and possible remedies!

9. Who is affected? • Certain groups may be affected by stigma: • Commercial sex workers • Intravenous drug users • Men who have sex with men • Migrant populations • Street kids • Widows • TB patients • STI patients • Others?

10. Who is also affected by stigma/discrimination • People who hold the perceptions • Families, including children • The community • The nation • The world

11. What can we do? • Be mindful of and correct our own stigma and discrimination beliefs • Address and clarify stigma when we observe it coming from others • Treat patients and families with respect • Be proud of our work • Always seek for more and correct information on issues that predisposes us to stigma and discrimination • Treat all illnesses as serious and important

12. Stigma at workplace • Every staff should be seen as a contribution to the success of the entire organization • Put the fundamental rights of human as a priority in dealing with people • My rights stop where your duty begins • A healthy workforce is one without stigma and discrimination from all angles

13. Stigma at workplace • Develop a greater understanding of stigma and its relationship in workplace and households • Work within a cultural framework to address stigma • Meet people in communities(workplace and households) to provide HIV prevention services • Normalize HIV counseling and testing • Target prevention messages at people who are HIV+ and HIV- • Increase exposure of HIV/AIDS information to people around you

14. Note! SUCCESS is gained as a team as well as FAILURE! THANKYOU