Addressing stigma and discrimination in Myanmar
In Myanmar, HIV remains invisible, as most people are unwilling and unable to be open about their status. This promotes a cycle of ignorance and fear, and disdain for people living with HIV – while the epidemic is spreading rapidly.
The Alliance in Myanmar is promoting the establishment of self-help groups and networks to create environments where people with HIV can both support each other and be more open about their status within communities. The Alliance has helped to establish the GIPA Project Initiative Group, a project led by a group of HIV positive people who promote the greater involvement of people living with HIV in the response. Its activities include:
- running workshops and capacity building activities for people living with HIV and self help groups;
- distributing information, education and communication material on reducing stigma and discrimination towards positive people;
- promoting positive attitudes towards people with HIV by advocating with religious leaders;
- advocating for supportive workplace policies among NGOs; and
- carrying out special events as part of World AIDS Day and the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial. Recently the group visited the main infectious diseases hospital in Yangon to speak to health workers and to promote positive attitudes among the hospital’s staff.
By empowering HIV positive people to take action, the Alliance in Myanmar hopes to show that positive people are part of the solution – and not the problem.
