Tackling stigma and discrimination with groups of people living with HIV in China
The word ‘stigma’ does not translate easily in the Chinese language. Variations include pianjian (prejudice), xiuru (humiliation or shame), chouhua (give undesirable attributes or make ugly), and wuminhua (give bad names).
In 2006, six groups of people living with HIV across China were supported by the Alliance, funded by the Levi Strauss Foundation, to design and implement projects tackling stigma and discrimination in China. (Find out more about the work of the specific projects by using the links on the right hand side of this page, under 'Related resources'.)
The process began with the Alliance supporting the groups to analyse stigma and discrimination in their communities and to design activities to reduce stigma and to increase community acceptance and understanding. This included a workshop to adapt activities from the toolkit Understanding & Challenging HIV Stigma: Toolkit for Action where participants used pictures to name and identify instances of stigma and discrimination, examined its causes and effects its relationship to sexuality, shared their experiences of being stigmatised and of self-stigmatisation, and looked at how to deal with questions about how they acquired HIV.
The groups were then supported to develop action plans for projects from August to December 2006. The six groups are making insightful contributions to the reduction of stigma and discrimination in China, detailed below.
In January 2007, the Alliance held an end of project workshop for the groups to share their project achievements and challenges, and draw out lessons learned. The groups also mapped their experiences of stigma in different settings – from compulsory detoxification centres for drug users to schools and homes. The Alliance will take forward these drawings for use in targeted information, education and communication work.
The groups’ positive and optimistic attitudes and determination were all unforgettable. The six groups all made progress or facilitated changes at the conclusion of their projects, although one group found that participation in their project was limited, as local people with HIV didn’t have the confidence to become involved. Much more work is needed for people with HIV to be confident to put themselves forward for opportunities: ‘The tune is so high, only a few people can sing it’.
