Addressing stigma and discrimination in Manipur
In Manipur, communities had been resistant to HIV programmes and wary of participating because of the assumptions people might make about their HIV status. People were also not discussing sexually transmitted infections – which may make them more vulnerable to HIV – and dismissing their symptoms as normal health problems.
Alliance India’s State partner, Social Awareness Service Organisation (SASO) has been addressing these issues through the Sexual and Reproductive Health programme supported by the UK Department for International Development. SASO has been able to integrate HIV activities into small community meetings on sexual and reproductive health. Safe spaces have been created for support group meetings, peer-led activities and for the distribution of condoms. Community based outreach workers are working directly with people to raise awareness of HIV and reduce stigma and discrimination.
The work is having an impact. Women are now coming forward for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections, and family elders and community members are driving people for treatment at health clinics and government hospitals. But SASO realises more still needs to be done to address the huge issue of stigma. In many families, after the death of their husbands, women are not allowed to use the family toilet during menstruation. People receiving anti-retroviral treatment in hospitals are still regarded with suspicion, and other patients refer to them as ‘ART party’.
