Haki za Wananchi (Equal Rights for all Citizens)
Although many of the current HIV and AIDS response policy documents and guidelines clearly stipulate the importance of addressing stigma and discrimination (S&D), actual practice is not sufficiently linked with rights-based approaches to tackle this issue.
Areas with high HIV prevalence have heightened incidents of stigma and discrimination .The most vulnerable individuals (women, commercial sex workers (CSWs), the deaf) are frequently discriminated against owing to their gender, livelihood or disability.
Women are biologically and socially more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS (58% of adults living with HIV in Tanzania are women). Due to the communication barrier, deaf individuals are denied access to services, as there are very few deaf friendly services such as HIV education programmes and voluntary counselling and testing centres available for the deaf. Commercial sex workers, particularly common in informal settlements, are stigmatised because of their means of livelihood and these attitudes are compounded by negative depictions by the media and the public towards people living with HIV/AIDS.
Aim
The Haki za Wananchi project (equal rights for all citizens in English) aims to improve access to prevention, treatment and care services for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, particularly women, sex workers, and the deaf in Kinondoni and Ilala districts of Dar es Salaam.
Haki za Wananchi project therefore supports PLHA to oppose stigma and discrimination by empowering those affected by stigma to demand for an end to the stigma that hinders their ability to access basic services and realise their human rights. This will contribute positively towards national attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. The project’s main approach is to build upon partnerships with districts authorities, Tanzania Network of Women living with HIV/AIDS (TNW+), Chama cha Viziwi Tanzania - CHAVITA (a network of organisations for the deaf) and NURU (Angaza linked post-test clubs).
Expected Results
- An increase in the number of people living with HIV accessing VCT, anti-retroviral treatment and PMTCT services (particularly women, commercial sex workers and the deaf )
- Service providers document and use best practices relating to stigma and discrimination
- Improved treatment enrolment and increased ART adherence rates
- An increase in the number of women, commercial sex workers and deaf individuals reporting greater social acceptance in the community, and less discrimination by employers and health service providers
- A HIV resource centre serving 3 slum communities fully equipped and regularly attended
- A database of PLHA groups and support services set up and functioning
- 6 community based organisations working with women, commercial sex workers and the deaf, equipped with financial and management skills, and advocacy skills to sustain their activities
- Council Health Management Teams prioritise gender mainstreaming and rights based considerations in their annual work plans and budgets.
Key Lessons
- There is a need to sensitise the policy makers at all levels, community leaders, religious leaders and councillors on the importance of protecting and promoting the rights of people living with HIV. These are key people whose support and involvement is crucial in the fight against stigma and discrimination.
- People living with HIV/AIDS need be empowered in order to come forward as equal members of their respective communities, organise themselves and speak out so that are they are recognised and their needs addressed.
- Stigma and discrimination cannot be tackled by a single entity. A multi-sectoral approach is necessary in order to have impact in the ongoing interventions.
- An increased level of disclosure of HIV status reduces stigma and discrimination as it minimises many of the unnecessary fears about PLHAs
- Training sessions should also involve health service providers so that they can share experience from the field
- There is a need to initiate the formation of community advisory boards where local leaders can interact with other stakeholders in the country and jointly put strategies to fight stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS.
