Stigmafirst edition

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Stigma

Session Objective z Understanding how stigma contributes to the transmission of HIV and AIDS related death

Session Overview z Definition of Stigma z Stories of Stigma z Dealing with Stigma z

Key Message z SSDDIM is the death sentence – not HIV. Fear spreads HIV and leads to AIDS related illnesses.

Expected Learning Outcomes

z How our attitudes and reactions towards HIV and AIDS can lead to death.

z SSDDIM is a human reaction to fear. z SSDDIM affects both individuals and communities.

z Face our fears of HIV and AIDS.

Toolkit References z Introduction to SSDDIM z Modules on Shame, Denial, Discrimination, Inaction, Misaction

Time z 45 minutes

Materials needed z Flipchart paper and pens z Scissors, glues, paper, paints, magazines (these are for an optional exercise)

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definition: A social mark that singles individuals or groups out for disgrace, humiliation, and rejection.

Story for reflection and discussion:The external manifestations of stigma are horrific enough. At Christmas time 1998 a 36-year-old South African woman, Gugu Dlamini, was stoned and stabbed to death. … What is clear is that shortly before her death Gugu told Zulu-language radio lis-teners that she was living with HIV. Three weeks later, members of her own neighbourhood rounded on her. Her attackers accused her of shaming her community by announcing her HIV status. She died in hospital – her body broken not by the HIV she faced with such conspicuous courage, but by the injuries her neighbours inflicted on her. She left a thirteen-year -old daughter3.

Ask people the question - “if you were part of Gugu Dlamini’s community, what would you have done”? They do not need to give you an answer, simply ask them to think about it then break down the story of Gugu Dlamini as follows:

At the end of discussing Gugu dlamini’s story ask the following questions:zz What impact has this story had on you?zz What forms of discrimination and stigma have you seen in your community and

what have been the relating issues?

stigma – a little deeper

Questions:

zz How have we experienced stigma in our lives? Have we been stigmatised due to our race, gender, religion, caste, sexual orientation. Remember that stigma often uses visual symbols to differentiate between what group is acceptable and what group is not. These symbols are only surface and we deny ourselves the joy of re-ally getting to know people because we have created barriers.zz How do we feel when we have been stigmatised?

Fear underlies stigma:zz Of what are we afraid when we stigmatise people living with HIV?

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If you have access to creative materials: scissors, paper, glue, paints, magazines try the following exercise:zz Ask questions 1 & 2 above.zz Then ask participants to use the creative materials to make a collage, a piece

of art work that expresses their fears about HIV. They can either present this to the group or simply hang it on the wall without comment.zz The purpose of the exercise is to name their fear. If fear is not named it will not

be recognised and we cannot work with it.

Use flipchart paper to record people’s fears. Throughout the toolkit there are exer-cises to deal with these fears so simply recording them at this stage is good.

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Gugu Dlamini is a HIV positive mother

Members of the community hear this public declaration

The community comes together and discusses what they have just heard on the radio

A mob attacks Gugu Dlamini for disclosing her status

Gugu Dlamini Her daughter is orphaned

She speaks out publicly about her status on the radio

Other HIV positive people with in the community chose not to disclose their statue because they fear the same will

happen to them.

A young woman is left to find her place within the community that

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Reflection and Notes

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Reflection and Notes

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SAVETOOLKIT

A Practical Guide to the SAVE Prevention Methodology A Practical Guide to the SAVE Prevention Methodology

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