NEPWHAN sensitise Nigerians on anti- discrimination Act

OndoReporter | NEPWHAN sensitise Nigerians on anti- discrimination Act

THE Network of People Living With
HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, NEPWHAN,
yesterday, commenced sensitisation of
Nigerians on the Anti-discrimination Act
2014, on stigmatisation of people living with
HIV.

The National Coordinator, NEPWHAN, Victor
Olaore, said the sensitisation about the law
will create awareness about the penalty of
discrimination and stigmatisation against
people living with HIV.

He said: “Stigma and discrimination is still
high in the country, especially in the
community, people living with HIV still suffer
high level of stigmatisation. In fact, even in
the facility they are expected to receive
treatment, most people still get stigmatised
in the work place, and we felt that the
stigma index survey that was conducted in
the country shows evidence of documented
cases of what people living with HIV suffer.
“These are the tools that have helped us to
advocate for the passage of Anti-
discrimination Bill. Now that we have the
law, since 2014, many Nigerians are not
aware that such a law exists - not even
people living with HIV in our communities in
the country are aware that we have a law
that protects the rights and dignity of people
living with HIV.

“This law has very comprehensive content
and is detailed enough, and there is no
excuse about it, and we want to make it
clear that people will not say they are not
aware of the law.

“We have plan to also step down the
dissemination at the state level, we are
disseminating this document to 1, 030
support groups we have across the country,
and we are going to distribute it all over the
states, and more partners and media in each
state are going to be aware that we have
this law at the national level.



“We want to educate people living HIV that
there is a legal framework that can protect
their right and their dignity in the country. We
want the employers of labour and every other
person in the society to know that there is
this law that has been in existence in the
country since 2014, and people should stop
stigmatisation, denying employment of highly
productive Nigerians irrespective of their HIV
status.”

According to him NEPWHAN will set up
hotlines where people living with HIV who
have crisis or being stigmatised could call in
and have referral and legal services, as the
organisation has partnered with Human
Rights Commission on issues of
discrimination and stigmatisation.

Meanwhile, a 26 year old woman, Gloria
Asuquo, and a member of Association of
Positive Youths Living with HIV/AIDS in
Nigeria, narrated her ordeal of stigmatisation
and discrimination.

“At the earlier stage in 1999 I had to run
away from the village I lived because of the
stigma. I was stigmatised from my church,
at home, in the community. I tested positive
when I was 11 years old, and it was through
blood transfusion I got infected in a general
hospital.

“After my rescue and treatment at
Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, I stood with
people living with HIV, and for them to stand
for their right. I was denied admission as a
result of my status, which they withdrew my
admission letter.

“My advice for people living with HIV is for
them to be happy because the federal
government have recognised them and they
should go to the health facility and most of
them don’t like going to the hospital because
of stigma, and they should go for the
treatment, and if any further discrimination
they should call and report, and we will take
it up”, she stated.