Session Title: Children and Youth Facing HIV/AIDS Stay Alive Youth Group (SAYG) Nairobi Kenya: Abstract presentation XVII International AIDS Conference, Mexico 2008 Including YPLWHA in the effort to eliminate stigma and to promote the acceptance of the HIV positive people in your community Session Title: Children and Youth Facing HIV/AIDS Session Date: Monday, 4 August, 2008 Session Time: 16:30 - 18:00 Session Room: Session Room 7

CONTEXT: YOUTH, HIV/AIDS, STIGMA Rate of new HIV infection is high among young people Gap between non-infected and infected Reluctance to test and know HIV status Lack of commitment to support infected persons Limited available information on stigma

Stay Alive Youth Group (SAYG) Established in September 2006, based in Makadara Constituency, Nairobi, Kenya Aim was to create a forum where youth aged 15-35 infected and affected by HIV/AIDS could met and freely share their challenges and information in a friendly and conducive atmosphere, devoid of stigma and discrimination

SAYG OBJECTIVE To offer psychosocial support to young people infected and affected with HIV Promote partnerships on health issues in communities (Peer to Peer health talks) Research and adapt information related to HIV/AIDS for dissemination through youth-friendly mechanisms

Orphans Vulnerable Children Comprehensive Care centers SAYG APPROACH Your environment, social values, attitudes, family and support structures impact on responses to HIV/AIDS Community asset mapping Community resources and information Programmes and interventions Bridging capacity building gaps Engage and integrate programmes and members PEERS NEIGHBOURS VCT GOVERNMENT Orphans Vulnerable Children SAYG FAMILY RELIGIOUS LEADERS Comprehensive Care centers Post Test Clubs. POLICIES

YOUTH, STIGMA, DISCRIMINATION Stigma is often characterized by: Unfavourable beliefs and attitudes directed towards someone or something Process of devaluation and bring shame to a person Discrediting a person on basis of certain characteristics Singled out by people because of one’s HIV status

DISCRIMINATION Discrimination is often expressed as: Bias, intolerance, prejudice Unjustifiable differential treatment or action towards others because of race, gender, age, religion Differential treatment: Health condition and HIV Status; Employment and mandatory testing Discrimination leads to stigma whether done knowingly or unintentionally

TYPES OF STIGMA Stigma can exist in all environments in various forms Derogatory language vis-à-vis HIV infected persons Biased treatment based on knowledge of person’s status and or fear of infection Negative attitudes and actions towards People living with HIV/AIDS Shame and blame game Self exclusion Poverty and HIV/AIDS Religion and HIV/AIDS Guilty by association

SOCIAL STIGMA Social stigma derives from the community and the people around us through various ways; Isolation, alienation and abandonment by family and the community Exclusion from community resources and development Lack of legal and legislative laws and policy on health and employment Insensitive government structures and procedures Lack of community support systems and structures

YOUTH AND SOCIAL STIGMA Testing not given priority Prefer to access health facilities far from their community Do not access Comprehensive Care Centers (CCCs) Mandatory testing and employment Social support systems do not encourage disclosure To combat stigma, cohesive and institutionalized social and community support systems are necessary

STIGMA: SOME CAUSES Ad hoc family and community support systems Ignorance of the basic facts on HIV/AIDS, transmission, prevention and care Blame game AGAIN! People living with HIV/AIDS are immoral Cultural and societal beliefs and attitudes e.g. AIDS-a curse; condoms are for promiscuous persons

SOCIETAL BELIEFS AND STIGMA Condom use is mostly associated with: Promiscuity Multi and casual sexual partners Prostitution Lack of adherence to social values and religious beliefs Such beliefs limit access to services and support systems for fear of community reprisals and stigma

YOUNG PEOPLE CURBING STIGMA Know your HIV Status Educate yourself to change your attitude towards People living with HIV Get involved in youth-adult partnerships community activities that raise awareness Mainstream People living with HIV/AIDS issues into your youth-led programmes and initiatives

SAYG STRATEGIES, LESSONS LEARNED AND BEST PRACTICES Prevention Value based life skills Peer to peer guidance VCT awareness Care Post test clubs Visiting Children’s homes Nutrition campaigns Support Enabling environments Children to peer counseling & support Peer to peer support groups Psycho-social support Skills Building Youth-led empowerment in HIV/AIDS awareness Resource and community mobilization Training of Trainers Advocacy Campaigns Stigma & discrimination Access to treatment, ARVs Mainstream Children, youth and HIV/AIDS issues in community development PLWHA in decision and policy making structures

SAYG HIV/AIDS Youth Outreach Programme

-Always- REMEMBER:

-That- POINTING A FINGER AT SOMEONE, MEANS THAT YOU ARE POINTING BACK AT YOURSELF!!!!!