Dangrigans work to end stigma of AIDS
It has been said that the three greatest weapons in the fight against the AIDS epidemic are education, education, and education. This morning News Five’s Jacqueline Woods was on hand for the latest attempt to move the public toward positive action.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
A Billboard that welcomes you to Dangriga refers to the community as an AIDS-friendly town that encourages everyone to leave stigma and discrimination behind. It?s the latest initiative launched by that community?s HIV and AIDS Society to remind Dangrigans of the commitment to respect the rights of persons infected by the virus and help give them the support that is needed. However, the new concept has not been well received. In fact, when the society started the campaign in March of 2005, a banner was actually removed after it was displayed in the town.
Gwen Nunez Gonzalez, Ag. Education Officer, Stann Creek
?Because people believe that if you are saying AIDS-friendly, it means it means that hey, let?s all of us have AIDS and let?s welcome, we don?t have to worry about it; it?s okay to have AIDS. But that?s not the whole concept behind it, because in Dangriga indeed, we?ve buried so many people with the disease, the families are suffering. Some would come to me and I don?t know what to do, personally, I don?t know how to console, don?t know what to say because they are suffering. So I think this initiative is a very good initiative and I am glad that this is being held with the billboard so that people can get a clearer understanding. So some say, yes, it?s okay; some say, no.?
The billboard is situated at mile three on the Stann Creek Valley Road on the way into Dangriga. At today?s inaugural ceremony, Dangriga HIV and AIDS Society Chairperson, Doctor Ninfa Ken, says the billboard is also a notice to the greater Stann Creek District, Belize, and the world that Dangriga has taken up the bold, collective challenge to reduce and ultimately eliminate stigma and discrimination by declaring the community to be an AIDS-friendly town.
Dr. Ninfa Ken, Chair, Dangriga HIV/AIDS Society
?The name ?AIDS-Friendly Town? was arrived at as a provocative, exceptional approach to the reduction of stigma and discrimination. With more than twenty years into the emergence and thus fight against HIV/AIDS, the incidence and prevalence of HIV/AIDS show now sign of decreasing.?
?The words come across strong to name a place AIDS-friendly. It is designed to make people think. What does it mean to be AIDS-friendly? What is an AIDS-friendly town supposed to be like? The answer is not and should not be complex. It is a place where we are respecting persons living with the virus as human beings.?
The initiative is one that is also supported by UNICEF. According to UNICEF?s representative in Belize, Rana Flowers, two thousand children countrywide have been orphaned because of the disease.
Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative
?Some of the community is not yet understanding that being an AIDS-friendly town is about reaching out to your community, not shunning them, but being open and friendly and warm towards everybody. HIV/AIDS is an illness it?s not a punishment, and at the moment community members are treating fellow community members as if they deserved to by punished. So it?s a double burden on those infected and affected.?
The society remains optimistic that the concept will eventually be accepted by all, but admits they will need to embark on a number of educational campaigns to make it happen. Sixteen year old Oscar Marcello agrees. Marcello says many of his peers do not take HIV and AIDS seriously and he hopes the campaign will help change the negative attitude.
Oscar Marcello, Sixteen years old
?Because some of them have sexual intercourse without any condoms and with any partner. I think if they should get a partner, stay to one partner, get the ABC status, then they would really back down from the virus.?
The Dangriga HIV and AIDS Society says the anti-stigma and discrimination campaign with the name AIDS-Friendly Town is a test to see whether this new approach can indeed make a difference in their community. Jacqueline Woods for News Five.
