DanChurchAid

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HIV/AIDS

People living with HIV/AIDS

24/09/2006: People often fear the stigma of having HIV/AIDS more than the disease itself. Stigma and discrimination reduce the effectiveness of any HIV/AIDS response.

In addition to the direct impact of HIV/AIDS, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) also suffer widespread stigma and discrimination. The disease is often associated with immorality and leads to feelings of guilt.

Stigma and discrimination reduce the effectiveness of any HIV/AIDS response, since people often fear the stigma more than the disease itself, thus not opting for prevention, testing or treatment.

The role of faith-based organisations

Faith based organisations have been active in HIV/AIDS responses, but many have remained silent about, or even contributed to the stigmatisation of People Living With HIV/AIDS. However, there is a growing recognition within many churches and other faith-based organisations, that they have a very critical role to play in order to break the silence and stop the stigmatisation.

Supports organisations working with PLWHA

DanChurchAid sees the greater involvement of PLWHA as an important rights issue and as a means towards effective prevention. DanChurchAid and its partner organisations have an important and critical role to play in fighting stigma and discrimination of PLWHA. DanChurchAid will seek to identify and actively support the formation of organisations and support-groups for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Involvement of People living HIV/AIDS

People living with HIV/AIDS experience the social, physical and emotional consequences of being HIV positive and often have specific knowledge of the AIDS related stigmatization in their local communities. This knowledge can help address the stigma and break down the barriers for interventions

DanChurchAid works and advocates for a more active and meaningful involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS. PLWHA experience the social, physical and emotional consequences of being HIV positive and often have specific knowledge of the AIDS related stigmatization in the local communities. This is knowledge that can help address the stigma and break down the barriers for interventions.