Dominican Republic: Understanding HIV stigma and discrimination

In 2009 Profamilia and Redovih y Asolsida led a study using the People Living with HIV Stigma Index, to discover the type of stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Dominican Republic. There were a number of interesting results:

Almost one in four respondents reported that their rights as PLHIV have been violated. Most common forms of discrimination were verbal aggression, emotional violence, verbal and physical threats, harassment and exclusion from family activities. One in ten of those interviewed had been refused a job and eight per cent had been refused health services. In general women were more affected by these forms of discrimination than men.

Violence against women living with HIV was extremely common. Thirty-four percent of the women had been pushed, shoved or had something thrown at them, and eleven per cent had been threatened with a weapon.

Thirty per cent of the women and seventeen per cent of men had been advised against having children. Twenty per cent of women had been forcibly sterilized.

The research was an empowering experience for many of those interviewed as well as the interviewers. The interview process helped the interviewees identify experiences of discrimination and violence that they had not realized before. It also enabled the provision of education, counselling and service referrals where necessary.

The results of the study are an important tool for advocacy, development of public policies and programs. Dulce Almonte, Redovih’s president said:

“The Stigma Index is a base to fight and demand our rights, to participate in meetings regarding national plans and present proposals, raise our voices regarding the high incidence of stigma and discrimination at the workplace, socially and especially in the health sector.”

All those involved in the study agree that the results achieved constitute invaluable tools to address stigma and discrimination against PLHIV, especially against women. One interviewee summed this up perfectly:

“I really like it that this study was about discrimination, as, being HIV-positive, this I what I have lived with most.”

This is one of the twenty-four, real-life stories highlighting how IPPF's work is having a real impact in the lives of people around the world. 'In A Life' is available at: http://www.ippf.org/en/Resources/Reports-reviews/In+a+life+2010.htm