The Network of People With HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) is urging for a re-evaluation and robust implementation of the anti-stigma and discrimination legislation in Kaduna State.
The National Coordinator, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, made the call in Kaduna during a sensitization workshop on a survey jointly conducted by NEPWHAN and the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (NACA) across seven states in Nigeria.
Despite the urgency, fifteen states in Nigeria are still pending in the localization and initiation of the law’s implementation.
The workshop was organised to increase awareness and sensitise the people of Kaduna State to the anti-discrimination law and the recently launched National Workplace Policy on HIV and AIDS.
Represented by Secretary of the Network, Mr. Nicholas Ugbeunyen, the national coordinator said 21 states had domesticated the law and were effectively implementing it.
The survey, which was carried out two Years ago, revealed that North Central states had the highest proportion of people being stigmatised due to their HIV status.
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“We are here today for a workshop which is aimed at raising awareness of the HIV/ Aids anti-discrimination act in the state.
The HIV and AIDS Anti-Discrimination Act, 2014 focuses on critical aspects including rights of individuals, individual/organizational responsibilities, institutional obligations, acts that amount to discrimination, enforcement and penalties for violations.
He added that the purpose of the act was to protect the rights and dignity of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.
“This act is important because it helps eliminate all forms of discrimination based on HIV status, creating a supportive environment so that people living with HIV can continue working under normal conditions as long as they are medically fit.
“The act will promote appropriate and effective ways of managing HIV in the workplace, community, institutions and other fields of human endeavour, create a safe and enabling working and learning environment for all persons.”
“The law did not leave out all employers of labour and employees in the public and private sectors, including the Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigeria Police, State Security Services, other para-military organizations and places of worship.”
He said some of the rights enshrined in the act included the right to freedom from discrimination because of your HIV status, the right to access employment opportunities and continued employment at the right to employment benefits.
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The National Human Rights Commission, Winifred Atusue said there was a need for increased awareness of the rights of PLHIV and available redress options.
She said the commission expected a strengthened partnership with NEPWHAN, to curb HIV-related stigma and discrimination, and to investigate allegations for effective redress.
“Members of the network are, therefore, encouraged to present complaints on human rights violations relating to HIV/AIDS to the commission across its state offices.”
According to her, UNAIDS Global HIV record as 36.3 million people dead from AIDS between the start of the epidemic and the end of 2020.
“The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a strong health, development and human rights issue.
“To create an enabling environment for successful HIV/AIDS response and to affirm the dignity of people living with and vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, it is essential that a human rights-based approach is applied by stakeholders at all levels.
“This approach requires that the promotion and protection of human rights is at the centre of all aspects of an effective response to the epidemic.
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Kaduna State Coordinator of People Living with HIV/Aids, Bala Ismail-Ibn Ali, said the anti-stigma and discrimination law was domesticated in 2011 but had since remained dormant.
He said it needed to be reviewed, to assist the people being stigmatised.
” The survey conducted by the Network in collaboration with NACA indicates that women experienced the worst form of stigma and discrimination over HIV and Aids.”
Coordinator of Women Living with HIV/ AIDS, Mrs. Asabe Madaki, said women affected faced divorce and separation from their children.
NAN
