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Press
notice
November 11, 2006
‘Positive
People’s Assembly’, India
Social Forum
India
has an estimated 5.7 million people living with HIV and
AIDS but those affected still face shame and stigma and marginalisation.
The
Positive People’s Assembly (India
Social Forum, 11 November 9am-3.30pm, hall M12) brings together people ten
Indian states to address issues affecting people living with HIV and AIDS
– from gender inequality, discrimination at health care centres, access to
treatment to criminalisation and police atrocities.
Gender
inequality combined with HIV/AIDS is fuelling an economic and social crisis.
Women and their children are denied rights to property, and even shelter,
after the death of a male member.
Discrimination
at health care centres is also rampant. Treatment is often refused or
delayed, and doctors and nurses think little of disclosing HIV status
without the patient’s consent. Concerns of sexual minorities barely
register.
Access
to quality, affordable anti-retroviral drugs is still far from reality for
most people living with HIV/AIDS. Atrocities by the police who criminalise
sex work make it difficult for NGOs to offer information and services to
vulnerable groups.
People
living with HIV and AIDS will voice their concerns and demands and share
progress on campaigns to tackle stigma and discrimination and to improve
access to affordable treatment.
Sex
workers and sexuality minorities including hijras, kothis, gay and
transgender people who participated in the Rainbow Planet coalition event
focusing on their rights (10 Nov) will also take part.
Related
events include:
- The
latest on access to HIV/AIDS treatment with the Human Rights Law Network
(11 Nov, 12.30-3.30pm, Hall S2)
- A
workshop on affordable medicines hosted by Medicine Sans Frontiers,
People’s Health Movement, Lawyers Collective and ActionAid (11 Nov,
9am-12pm, Hall S6).
- ‘Rights
of people living with HIV/AIDS’ organised by CYDA (10 Nov,
12.30-3.30pm, Hall S2).
- Centre
for Youth Development and Activities also present the ‘Stepping Stones
Methodology’ – a revolutionary communications training kit geared
towards behaviour change for HIV prevention (13 Nov, 9am-12pm, Hall M4).
ENDS
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