Tackling HIV/AIDS Related Stigma and Discrimination in Vietnam: Tackling HIV/AIDS Related Stigma and Discrimination in Vietnam LESSONS LEARNED FROM RESEARCH, ADVOCACY AND INTERVENTION
Khuat Thu Hong
Institute for Social Development Studies
HIV Epidemic in Vietnam: HIV Epidemic in Vietnam Infection rate: 0.44 – 1.2% among adults aged 15-49 years (MOH, 2005)
52% of all reported cases among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) (MOH, May 2006)
Stigma and discrimination is severe
Collaborators: Collaborators
Institute for Social Development Studies (ISDS) and International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
Partnering with Central Commission for Ideology and Culture (CCIC) of the Communist Party of Vietnam
Funding
First Phase: USAID/Change Project(AED)/ICRW and GlaxoSmithKline’s Positive Action Programme
Second Phase: USAID/PACT
Project Components and Activities: Project Components and Activities Research
Adapting Anti-stigma toolkit
Sensitizing policy makers
Advocacy through media and IEC activities
Policy formulation and dissemination
Community intervention
2003 Research: Key Findings: 2003 Research: Key Findings HIV-related stigma is manifested in various forms and prevalent in different settings
All PLHAs are stigmatized, especially IDUs and CSWs
Key Findings (cont.): Key Findings (cont.) Stigma stems from 3 inter-related issues:
Fear of casual transmission
Link of HIV to “social evils” (e.g. drug use and prostitution)
Perpetuation of misinformation about HIV and negative images of PLHA through media and IEC campaigns
Adapted Anti-Stigma Toolkit: Adapted Anti-Stigma Toolkit “Understanding and Challenging HIV Stigma: Toolkit for Action”
Modifying various modules
Adding new modules
Using information, case studies, stories from Vietnam
Sensitizing policy makers and media: Sensitizing policy makers and media In 2004: using adapted toolkit
Organized 2 sensitizing workshops
with staff of IC Department of
29 provinces and cities
National workshop with CCIC and
key governmental and party agencies
Advocacy through Media: Advocacy through Media Sensitization workshop with national media using toolkit
Provided research findings and information
Supported and collaborated with media to develop:
Anti-stigma programs in VTV and Voice of Vietnam
Newspaper articles on stigma and discrimination
Facilitated contact with PLHAs and other experts in HIV/AIDS and stigma and discrimination
IEC Activities: Advocacy for Positive Images of PLHA: IEC Activities: Advocacy for Positive Images of PLHA In 2004, organized
exhibition of paintings
of two artists living with HIV
In 2005, organized an exhibition of photos on PLHAs with positive living
Developing and Disseminating IEC Materials: Developing and Disseminating IEC Materials 2004 2005
Policy Formulation and Dissemination: Policy Formulation and Dissemination
Assisting policy makers (CCIC) in development of national anti-stigma guidelines for media and IEC activities
Disseminating guidelines, September 2006
Community Interventions : Community Interventions Sensitizing workshops in two provinces and two communes
Conducting TOT on anti-stigma toolkit for key officials of provincial party agencies
Developing and implementing anti-stigma program in the two communes
Targeted Program Evaluation of Commune Program
Lessons Learned: Lessons Learned Stigma-Reduction is Possible
Lesson Learned 1: Open the Gate: Lesson Learned 1: Open the Gate Involve policy makers from the beginning
Create the feeling of ownership among policy makers
Work closely with policy makers, build capacity
Lesson Learned 2: Target the Media: Lesson Learned 2: Target the Media In collaboration with policy makers:
Sensitize media on issues of stigma and discrimination
Support media in development of media programs and reporting
Provide media access to information and contacts among PLHA and experts
Lesson Learned 3: Use Effective Tools and Methods: Lesson Learned 3: Use Effective Tools and Methods Adopt participatory approach
Apply Anti-stigma Toolkit
Diversify IEC activities: TV, radio, newspapers, art exhibitions, print materials
Use of positive images of PLHA
Lesson Learned 4: Involve and empower PLHA: Lesson Learned 4: Involve and empower PLHA Sensitize PLHA to self-stigma and provide support to overcome
Support PLHA in volunteering their stories for media, peer education and community activities
Create and identify opportunities for PLHAs to work with different organizations on HIV/AIDS
Lesson Learned 5 & 6 Skills Are Not Built Overnight Stigma Reduction Takes Time: Lesson Learned 5 & 6 Skills Are Not Built Overnight Stigma Reduction Takes Time Include follow up activities and refresher training after TOT
Select TOT participants from intervention communes
Stigma is deeply rooted: need sustained programs over time
Challenges & Next Steps: Challenges & Next Steps Scaling up lessons learned to national level
Integration of stigma-reduction into all HIV/AIDS efforts
Maintaining community, government and donor interest for sustained effort over time
Ensuring evaluation of programming
Sharing knowledge with others with similar epidemic
Understanding and addressing together gender, stigma and violence
Layered stigma (IDU and CSW)
Female partners of IDU