Re: Kerala CMs meet of stigma and discriminaton

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

I am greatly delighted on knowing that such a meeting to assess the

awareness campaign was organised by the State Government.At this

point,I would like to mention that on our telephonic conversation

with the project Co-ordinator of the State Level network (CPK+) in

Kerala ,we were surprised that network representatives were not

officially invited for such an important meeting. On an official

visit to the KSACS by the counsellor of CPK+ for another work she was

extended an invitation for the programme. Though late,we appreciate

their interest on involving PLWH/A for the programme.

I would like to express the following views in the context of IEC

campaigns in Kerala.

On our state level visit to Kerala ,I had observed that the IEC

materials published are highly discriminatory.Recently we happened to

see the table calendar printed by KSACS which conveyed messages

like " Extra marital Sex leads to HIV/AIDS " and in the next page,HIV

Positives are human too;they also have rights..

If the SACS agency,play a dual role of propagating negative and

Positive messages on HIV/AIDS won't it lead to Confusion among the

public. The picturisation on the IEC materials are very stigmatised

and discriminatory too. It is very necessary to talk about Sex and

sexuality, but picturising Sexual images on IEC materials adds to

more stigmatisation. It adds a severe burden to PLWH/A

In this context as the Kerala Government representatives have

considered PLWH/A's contibution in HIV/AIDS programmes ,I would like

to mention some points to be considered for better effectiveness.

Sensitisation programmes for NGO staff and co-ordinators ,revising

the IEC materials and including PLWH/A representatives in the IEC and

other committees would resolve the existing situation.Programmes on

Care and support for PLWH/A should be prioritised.

The GIPA concept should be adopted in all the states for better

implementation of the programmes.

Thank you.

P.Kousalya

Positive Women Network (PWN+)

E-mail: Poswonet@...

[Guest guest]

Thanks Kousalya,

This is not the first time that Kerala engages in debate around

HIV/AIDS initiatives and forgets to include PLWHA's.

My feeling is that at an official level they are really a

nuisance.

What you are suggesting is what we call focus testing.

Whenever a program is going to be staged we focus test it with

people who might be expected to either respond to the program or

at least not have a social death experience as a result of the way

it runs.

It would appear that the CM in Kerala (not the HM) should form a

Ministerial Advisory Committee and invite nominations from the

Kerala State as to who might most effectively provide competent

advice to the Ministers involved. Once selected, any initiatives

that are proposed be referred to this group for an opinion and

report and of necessity this should not exclude the MAC initiating

investigations and reporting to Government about matters that may

otherwise be overlooked.

I am constantly being informed that the State of Kerala has the

highest per capita level of education in all of India. Maybe some

of this educated wisdom could be harnessed to address the pandemic

as it affects that State and I hope that some time very soon we

are going to see some programs that actually work and a level of

appropriate epidemiology that will reassure the population that

Kerala knows what needs to be done and is going about educating

everyone as to what needs to happen and what not to be afraid of.

Only then will the stats improve.

I can't wait to get to Trivandum. I missed out on my last visit

due to a sudden health problem in Ernakulam, but I can assure the

folks in Kerala that I will be back soon, just as soon as I find

600 pairs of shoes to send to the South African Embassy in

Canberra to remind the Ambassador about how many +ve South

Africans are dying each day due to a total apathy towards

treatment of any kind. Apparently +ve people are a nuisance there

also.

Geoffrey

E-mail: <gheaviside@...>