Addressing stigma and discrimination in Andhra Pradesh: Vasavya Mahila Mandali

Vasavya Mahila Mandali (VMM), a lead partner of Alliance India, focuses on reducing stigma and discrimination by mobilising communities and building the capacity of NGOs and community-based organisations to improve the quality of life of people with HIV, families and children affected by HIV.

VMM does this through three programmes:

  • Home and community based care and support in Andhra Pradesh
  • Community driven approaches in the feminisation of HIV
  • Partnership sexual health among the street children of Vijayawada.

Home and community based care and support in Andhra Pradesh

VMM has been implementing the home and community based care and support programme in coastal Andhra Pradesh since 2001.

Working with eleven implementing partner organisations, the programme aims to improve the quality of life of people with HIV and family members and children affected by HIV and AIDS. It does this by collaborating with a variety of partners, linking to existing government structures and mobilising communities to respond to HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

VMM emphasises community partnership and programme ownership in its approach. It also promotes healthy positive living through its policy initiatives.

Through the home based care and support programme a wide variety of strategies have been adopted to address stigma and discrimination:

  • The formation and strengthening of support groups and clubs (such as for people with HIV, children, and grandmothers) has led to increased community support. Cultural teams and magnetic theatre about HIV and AIDS also allow communities to build their knowledge and respond to the issues raised.
  • Awareness meetings, campaigns, and the distribution of information, education and communication materials are educating people about HIV transmission, and correcting misconceptions.
  • Working with employees and employers has led to reduced job displacement and enabled people with HIV to continue their employment.
  • Home-based counselling for groups and individuals is reducing stigma among families and self-stigma for people with HIV.
  • Community-based and religious leaders are also being involved in the programme, and they are being made aware of the issues surrounding stigma and discrimination.
  • The active participation of people with HIV in fortnight- and month-long campaigns by the Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society has led to increased community acceptance.
  • Media sensitisation has led to wider coverage for the reduction of stigma and discrimination.
  • Income generation programmes for people living with/affected by HIV has led to increased community acceptance of people with HIV and their families.
  • Through promoting community foster care, female self-help group members are coming forward to foster children whose parents have died of AIDS.
  • Children in the community, including children affected by HIV, are attending study/recreation centres together, leading to reduced stigmatisation.

Community driven approaches in the feminisation of HIV

  • Communities are more accepting of the generic issue of sexual and reproductive health than HIV and AIDS specifically. This creates an opportunity to promote women’s support groups to share issues around sexual and reproductive health within which issues around HIV can also be raised.
  • The involvement of faith leaders in the programme has led to reduced stigma and discrimination. The leaders are trusted figures and their words carry weight in the community.
  • Community nutritional demonstrations give the programme the opportunity to address women all in one place, while they learn how to prepare low-cost nutritious food at home.
  • Men are also encouraged to participate in meetings, and to address the issue of going for voluntary HIV counselling and testing.
  • Awareness meetings help the community to further understand HIV and AIDS, and to accept positive people among themselves in a social setting.

Partnership sexual health among the street children of Vijayawada

A number of activities to address the fear that children up to the age of 18 might have about HIV are having an impact on stigma:

  • Peer educators help spread awareness, and help identify opportunities for voluntary counselling and testing.
  • A camp at Vijayawada city station allows children to learn about HIV and sexually transmitted infections, to express their concerns, and to support each other. Focus group discussions and career and individual counselling support this further.
  • Behaviour change communication materials and films are well accepted by the children, which enables them to access clear and accessible information about HIV.
  • Advocacy meetings with police, doctors and other external stakeholders are leading to a reduction in misconceptions and increased cooperation with field staff.