The
fear of being known as HIV positive has made a lot of people decline knowing
their status and those confirmed positive prefer to remain in hiding rather than
receiving proper care and therapy even when it’s free.
People
living with HIV/AIDS battle with stigma and discrimination, how much more when
it’s combined with being a sexual minority; it becomes double stigma.
As the Global HIV target is counting down to zero, the HIV prevalence among
sexual minorities is still facing increase as the environment becomes more
unfriendly. In recent findings, it is discovered that Sexual minorities have
the highest HIV prevalence which is largely caused by the risky practice most
times associated to fear of stigma & discrimination. The potential of risky
sexual behavior among sexual minorities is high due to stigma and discrimination
attached to same sex affairs. In surveys conducted in Nigeria such as: Integrated
Biological and Behavioral Surveillance Survey (IBBSS), we have discovered that
while other target groups and general population are experiencing decrease in
HIV prevalence, sexual minorities are experiencing increase. Statistics shows
that in 2007 - 13.5% prevalence rate was recorded among men who have sex with
men in Nigeria and in 2010 we experienced an increase of 17.2%. These have
shown that less sexual minorities access health or have access to health. As the
environment becomes more unfriendly, the worse is expected. The case of STI cannot
be overemphasized as it is more common than HIV/AIDS and more deadly and easily
spread.
In
Nigeria, sexual minorities are not only facing stigma and discrimination but
also suffering from government laws criminalizing the act of choosing ones
sexual orientation or gender identity not leaving out societal and religious aspect
seeing choice of identity as evil and being perverse. While Sharia law says the
act is punishable by death, the federal law says its 14 years imprisonment;
victims are subject to mob attack, family rejection, work dismissal and all
sort of condemnation. Sexual minorities living with HIV/AIDS now suffer
depression as they have to face double stigma and discrimination.
Sexual
minorities don’t just practice same sex affairs but some are also in relationships
and marriages with the opposite sex which makes the HIV prevalence a larger
problem as it affects the general population. if a bisexual living with HIV is
married in some cases with more than one wife especially in the Northern part
of Nigeria or possibly with multiple partners and he is faced with stigma and
discrimination including fear of being criminalized, he will not only spread
the virus within the community, but also among his sex partners and/or family
because the unfriendly environment would not make him check to know his status
neither would he want anyone to know his status as he pretends about his
sexuality as well. So if we look at it critically, stigma and discrimination
causes huge problem and negative impact to the society at large. The criminalizing
and unfriendly environment is causing more harm with no good. Everyone is
affected… Everyone is a victim.
Aside
stigma and discrimination being one of the major factors of High HIV prevalence
rate, what about our rights as human being, why criminalize or crucify someone
who has done you no harm.
I
will give you a true life story;
“A
Nigerian Bisexual young man discovered he was HIV positive, he didn’t know how
to inform his family/friends about his status for fear of the unknown. Along the
line he was arrested as a suspected homosexual after a friend that was caught
and tortured exposed him. Luckily he was bailed and asked to return home after torture
in the police cell. Unfortunately for him before he got back home, his parents
and siblings already heard what happened. He was sent out of the house as he
had no choice than to run to a friend to give him shelter for some time. He later
lost his job after confiding in a colleague that he was HIV positive. Due to
the depression caused by the stigma and discrimination he was facing on both
side (home and work place) he made up his mind to commit suicide. The friend that
sheltered him working with a Health/Advocacy organization counseled and advised
him to work with them as a volunteer. An international organization sent out an
application to support LGBT persons living with HIV/AIDS and that are currently
facing difficult situation. He applied and was luckily selected. The last time I
heard of him, he is studying in one of the best university in the world,
currently working with an international organization helping others at risk and
in depression. Living in a comfortable apartment and now breadwinner of the
same family that rejected him”.
A
lot of lessons learnt from this story; I will leave you to digest and dissect
it yourself.
It's awful when people send hate messages; it’s funny that people celebrate the
prosecution and crucification of others. It is so pathetic that people
celebrate Hate/Terrorist attack saying it is God’s judgment. I’m glad to disappoint
them that God’s judgment is not hateful/wicked.
What
would you say about a Hermaphrodite with both private parts “dual gender
identity”; (food for thought).
Let our heart be
filled with Adoration for our creator and Love & Respect for Humanity &
Environment…Dorothy Aken’Ova
Stigma
and Discrimination causes serious negative impact on the victim and society at large.
It affects the effort of the Global target to bring HIV to zero. We need to
embrace Sexual Health & Rights.
Stop
the Stigma and Discrimination! Reverse the Hate laws and habit! Promote Human
Rights and Respect for Diversity & Equality! Let’s Love and Be Loved!
Nice one comrade!
ReplyDeleteNice one comrade!
ReplyDelete