Content
Areas of action
Removing the stigma: Creating a climate of solidarity
To discriminate against someone on account of an infection or a disease is a violation of human rights. Because in many countries – and often enough in our own country too – HIV is associated with deviant sexual behaviours and death, people living with HIV and their families often suffer social exclusion. Protecting them from this is an important objective of international and German development policy.
The stigmatisation and humiliation of sufferers make HIV prevention and therapy difficult. Eradicating them is an important part of effective HIV control. When people refuse to be tested, make a secret of the fact they are infected or even forego treatment for fear of exclusion, there is a danger the infection will be passed on to others. A climate of discrimination and stigmatisation also precludes open discussion about the modes of infection and protection options.
Close cooperation between all social forces is necessary to create a social climate of solidarity with those who are infected with HIV or are affected by it.
For that reason, Germany supports self-help groups of sufferers in its partner countries. It helps its partners to protect AIDS orphans, who are particularly likely to suffer discrimination. German development cooperation supports workplace programmes that offer free advice to staff, voluntary testing and access to antiretroviral therapy. They are intended to help free sufferers from social isolation.
Cooperation with civil society
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), church organisations, self-help initiatives and private companies are heavily involved in the fight to halt the spread of HIV. Local and German NGOs play an important role in prevention, treatment and care, in counselling and supporting families and orphaned children. German development cooperation works in close partnership with these civil society organisations.
