Addressing stigma and discrimination in Delhi
In Delhi, Alliance India lead partner MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child is leading the community based care and support programme for people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS and their children – which is being implemented by five partners. The partners are working to reduce stigma and discrimination directed at positive people and their children through a range of activities directly involving those infected and affected.
The programme facilitates direct dialogue with service providers and community groups so that people and children living with HIV are able to talk about and share their experiences. Children affected by HIV are supported to put on cultural performances, involving large numbers of young people within and outside their communities.
MAMTA and partners work directly with service providers to raise awareness and build capacity to respond to stigma and discrimination. They also share information with the community about how HIV is and isn’t transmitted and about the care and support of people infected and affected by HIV.
World AIDS Day provides an opportunity to reach a wide number of people with anti stigma messaging. In 2006 this happened through rallies, street plays, quizzes, and the screening of films with an HIV theme such as Phir Milenge, My Brother Nikhi, and Anant. One of the programme’s partners organised a mass awareness programme at Old Delhi railway station, in central Delhi, to reach a wide range of people including commuters and street children. With the support of exhibition stalls and street plays, more than 10,000 people were reached, and 6,000 condoms and 4,000 information materials distributed.
