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?