Positive EyeEmail news, listings and product info to us at eye@positivenation.co.uk Issue: 141  MAC AIDS Fund dedicate £100,000 to fight stigma in the UKThe MAC AIDS fund (MAF) recently delivered £100,000 to the African HIV Policy Network (AHPN) and its project to combat shame and stigma associated with HIV and AIDS in the UK.  “The fact that stigma remains such a driving force in the still-growing epidemic means that we have a lot of re-educating to do here,” said AHPN program officer Angelina Namiba. “Stigma kills”, added Winnie Ssanyu Sseruma, Chairwoman of the AHPN. “Despite the prevalence of HIV in our community, people don’t want to talk about it because of the shame.” The women discussed their efforts to reach the African community in the UK, which accounts for more than half of all new HIV diagnoses in England each year. The network will focus its efforts, under the new MAF grant, on addressing stigma via training and education programmes for faith leaders, media, politicians and HIV-positive community members. “Stigma and shame is an enormous problem and therefore difficult to get your arms around. We were really impressed by AHPN’s proposal as it focuses on the hearts and minds of those in leadership positions – political leaders, religious leaders. It is a grass roots project that speaks directly to the community itself”, said Nancy Mahon, Executive Director of MAF. “By funding this AHPN project we are hoping to encourage other organisations to integrate fighting shame and stigma into their programmes as a whole.” Other programs receiving funding from MAF’s £300,000 dedication to combat HIV stigma are the International Planned Parenthood Federation, which will rollout an index measuring the impact of stigma on people living with HIV and AIDS; and the National AIDS Trust, which will tackle inaccurate and stigmatizing coverage of HIV in the UK media. |
Issue 143
“Stereotype and prejudice are limiting the progress against HIV and AIDS as much today as 25 plus years ago which is incredibly sad. Combating stigma and the spread of HIV has a lot to do with raising awareness. As a musician, I’m able to reach a wider audience about issues close to my heart.” |
