HIV Stigma Case Report: Public label of a Female Sex Worker (FSW) to be HIV Positive

HIV Stigma Case Report: Public label of a Female Sex Worker (FSW) to be HIV Positive

Issue: While two FSWs were quarreling in their brothel and exchanging words, Lady A emphatically  said that Lady B was HIV Positive and should pray that God would deliver her from it. She kept on repeating it to the hearing of all, including their clients.

After the quarrel, Lady B  noticed that clients started avoiding her based on the label and she felt really bad. Efforts to make Lady A  refute her words proved abortive despite intervention by all at the brothel including the Manager.

Action: Lady B reported to some CSOs working on HIV who intervened in the matter. Investigation revealed Lady B was HIV Negative, that Lady A spoke out of anger.

Conclusion: Lady A was made to refute her words and apologized to Lady B. Lady B was also asked to apologized to Lady A for calling her children bastards. Both of them  reconciled.

Success: The opportunity was used to caution the other brothel occupants to be mindful of their choice of words during such exchange of words.  Noting that their words can make LEA or other agents go after them. The need for them to understand that drugs, aiding and harbouring of criminals amongst other crimes must not be heard of among them.

The interactive opportunity was used to make them understand that the HIV Anti-Stigma Law exists and that ignorance would not be an excuse. They were made  to understand that if Lady B was actually HIV positive to the knowledge of Lady A, that Lady A would violated the  section that has to do with disclosure without consent.

It was emphasised that ONLY the person who has the virus can disclose their status to another either personally or via a written consent. 
That stigmatizing someone on the basis of HIV status is also a violation.

At the end of the interaction, they were very happy with the session, the knowledge gained and they asked for more of such interactive sessions. Questions raised by them were responded to accordingly.

Plan: Another session would be held with them soon and scaled up to other locations. The good news is that you can join this awareness creation too.

@sirniovo

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