Post on 15-Apr-2018
Stigma & Discrimination
Against PLHIV and Marginal Communities
Is Media
helpful or harmful?
2005-09
Massmediamonitoredin fourHIV/AIDShighprevalenceStates2005-09
2005-09 Key Findings
277 incidents of stigma anddiscrimination (S&D)
1. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu account for nearly 70 % of incidents
2. S&D peaks in 2006-07with 152 incidents
3. S&D declines by two-thirds in 2009
59
75 77
39
27
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
TOTAL: 277
Break-up of Incidents
2005-09 Key Findings
Key Findings - SettingsWith 109 S& D incidents in Societal Setting, family is a major site (71
incidents)
Family
Rural households and women of reproductive age group account for 60%
Key Findings - SettingsHealthcare
90% of S&D in
government hospitals ,
in Mumbai, Chennai and
Hyderabad
60% denied treatment
when they need invasive
treatment
Health Set up
How does the Media Frame these Reports?
Exposes the “horrific” manner in which S&D is enacted."My daughter was mercilessly sent away from her husband's home by her mother- in-law even before his 12th day death ceremony.
Kaalam kalsiraka maa gathi ela aaindhi. (Bad times have made our position miserable).”
How does the Media Frame these Reports?
Graphically describes
specific acts of violations An Ambernath-based grocery
store owner, who was wrongly
diagnosed HIV+ve at a private
clinic three years back, is still
trying to piece together his
shattered life. …..
How does the Media Frame these Reports?Uses Voices and Testimonies to share with us the pain of ostracism, rejection, humiliation and cruelty
“The discriminatory attitude of my mother-in-law is more agonizing than the life threatening ailment. First my husband imposed a death penalty on me and now, without considering my loyalty towards her family for 10 long years or the dowry that I brought, my mother-in-law is playing havoc with my life.”
Venkatesh and his family live in the village.Earlier Venkatesh along with his family wasliving in a thatched hut …. Recently this familywas selected and granted a house underIndiramma scheme. But Gani and Salim of theVillage objected and obstructed theconstruction as Venkatesh was confirmed asHIV positive
“I just wanted to die”, says victimized
womanEenadu,
Hyderabad
“PLHA woman meets the Collector
for Justice” Dinamani, Madurai
–Reveals the “chinks” in each setting and the state of unpreparedness
–Juxtaposes “achievements” with S&D to highlight lack of “programme
impact
In a shocking incident that speaks volumes about the failure of the high profile
HIV/AIDS awareness campaign, a woman with AIDS was thrown out by
her family members and the Government Hospital and an NGO working on
HIV/AIDS refused to admit her.
A plethora of awareness campaigns on HIV/AIDS during the past two decades
has not helped women living with HIV get property rights in their marital
homes…..
In what way is Media helpful?
Use public scrutiny on “professional and private conduct” to ensure accountability, fix responsibility (75 incidents)
Societal- (34 incidents) Decision makers and senior officials
intervened in 6 incidents
Sarpanch addressed social boycott
Officials ensured care and support medical expenses, dignified burial and prevented stigmatization
In what way is Media helpful?Stakeholder's Response
SOCIETAL -34
Societal - Law enforcement (13)Rejected writ petitions, Gave supportive judgments, Investigated atrocities, Registered FIR, Sought explanations
HealthcareIn 50% (27) incidents stakeholders
applied correctives
In what way is Media helpful?
Politicians, 1
Govt. Officials, 4
HRC, 1
CITU, 1
Media , 4
Networks, 2
NGOs, 4
Medical, 9
Police, 1Legal, 1
Stakeholder's Response
HEALTHCARE-28
In what way is Media helpful?
Policy makers(4) Ensured admission,
referrals,Investigated negligence, sought explanations, Issued show cause notice and expressed solidarity
Medical Authorities(9) Ordered treatment, instituted disciplinary
action, negotiated with Unions
Stakeholder's Response
HEALTHCARE-28
In what way is Media harmful?
• Sensationalism is rampant while reporting on societal
stigma (women, children, rural incidents, self-stigma leading to suicides)
HIV issue is often criminalized . Misinformation about “forcibly
injecting HIV infected blood” in the context of personal enmity is
often reported in a highly sensational manner
•Media caused irreparable harm to HIV positive people by
disclosing status, labeling people who were not positive as HIV
infected and reporting in a voyeuristic and sensational manner
Biased and sensational headlines abound
HIV convict escapes from city hospital,
AIDS demon is not allowing cooking!
AIDS created “Toofan” in the Police family
Over 150 people afflicted with AIDS in Sathankulam area
“My God! We don't touch this water”
HIV positive woman was rejected for even Ayah job,
Yet another AIDS Victim Ostracized
Pathetic moments of HIV positive people …..
In what way is Media harmful?
In just 9 reports on suicides, media quotes other voices-medical
superintendent, political leader, NGO, relatives, neighbours
Out of 66 reported incidents on suicides 42 were based on just police version.
Often such reports reduce it to one more incident
with sensational headlines like:
Another HIV patient commits suicide,
AIDS Victims Jumps to Death,
Couple suffering from AIDS commits suicide consuming cyanide ,
Woman with AIDS poisons son, commits suicide
In what way is Media harmful?