Group calls for end to HIV/AIDS stigma, discrimination

Acknowledging that stigma and discrimination constitute the most significant barrier in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Human Rights Association (SVGHRA) has set out to address the situation by continuing their efforts to raise awareness of the plight of people infected and affected by the disease.{{more}}

On Tuesday, October 16th, at the Kingstown Methodist Church Hall, the association hosted a round table discussion on stigma and discrimination, with a number of HIV/AIDS stakeholders attending.

Contributing to the session was Diana Bailey of the National AIDS Secretariat (NAS) who gave statistics on HIV/AIDS in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. St. Clair Thomas who spoke on stigma and discrimination.

Public Relations Officer of the SVGHRA Jeannie Ollivierre also spoke on the work of the association, and gave an overview of the project.

President of the SVGHRA Nicole Sylvester noted that although the laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are inadequate to deal with stigma and discrimination, the association and other legal entities and are working towards making the necessary changes to the laws.

According to Sylvester, the message of stigma and discrimination is still not clear.

“There is a problem in our society. People infected and affected are stigmatized, despite all the knowledge out there,” Sylvester said. “We will not achieve a society free of stigma and discrimination, but if we reach just one person, our purpose will be fulfilled.”

The association had previously held two call-in radio programmes and a media conference as part of their awareness drive, with a number of other events planned for the near future.

The association is calling for the various stakeholders to play their part in raising the awareness of stigma and discrimination.