1. 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: :00
Session Room: Session Room 7

2. 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

3. Stay Alive Youth Group (SAYG)
Established in September 2006, based in Makadara Constituency, Nairobi, Kenya
Aim was to create a forum where youth aged 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. SAYG HIV/AIDS Youth Outreach Programme

16. -Always-
REMEMBER:

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