Author: Jokapeci Tuberi
Title: Making HIV visible in Fiji: the role of people living with HIV
Subject Area/Topic: Stigma and Discrimination
Issue:
Fiji is a low HIV prevalence country. A cumulative total of 259 HIV infections have been detected since 1989. There is however the potential for a more extensive spread of the epidemic due to the high levels of several risk and vulnerability factors, including high rates of other STIs, low rate of condom use and gender inequality. Stigma and discrimination associated with HIV prevented people from getting tested, further strengthening the silence around the epidemic. The self-organization of people living with HIV has been instrumental in breaking the silence and getting HIV high on the agendas of leaders and the community in general.
Description:
FJN+ was established in 2005 to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV & AIDS in Fiji. A grant from the Australian-government funded Pacific Regional HIV/AIDS Project has significantly strengthened the institutional capacity of FJN+. A drop-in center has been established and provides a friendly environment for people living with HIV to meet and support each other. The self-support group has played a key role in helping the FJN+ members to adhere to ARV treatment. FJN+ also provides income generation opportunities for its members. FJN+ is also playing an important community education and advocacy role. The openly positive members regularly advocate with political, traditional and religious leaders about the importance of responding to HIV as a national priority. Through their efforts several leaders have joined the HIV response efforts. As a member of the national AIDS Coordinating Association, FJN+ is able to advocate for the rights of HIV+ people in national policy and programs.
Lessons learned:
The self-organisation of HIV+ people has invigorated the national response to the epidemic despite the relatively small number of HIV infections.
Next steps:
Support the self-organisation of HIV+ people in other Pacific Island countries.
© 2007 Paul Nash webscool@ihug.co.nz - Last Updated Tue 05 August 2008