In modern society, despite the high level of awareness and progress in medicine, people living with HIV still face discrimination. Unfortunately, such cases occur even among neighbors, friends, and colleagues. However, the help of REActors helps people to overcome such difficulties.
Alena (name changed) is a young woman living with her mother. Both of them are women living with HIV, who have been taking the necessary therapy for many years and leading a full life. One day, their neighbor overhears a conversation that mentions the family’s HIV status. Instead of showing support, the neighbor began to insult Alena and her mother, threatening to tell other residents of the house.
Alena was at a loss and did not know how to protect herself and her mother. She turned to REActor for support. He met with Alyona and her mother to talk about the rights of people living with HIV and to discuss possible actions. Together they decided to speak to the neighbor.
During the meeting, the REActor explained to the neighbor in detail that HIV is not transmitted through domestic transmission and reminded her of the laws that protect people with this status from discrimination. He also emphasized that disclosure of others’ HIV status and continued threats could result in legal consequences, including administrative penalties. After the explanatory conversation, the neighbor realized her mistake and promised to stop insulting her and not to spread information about the HIV status of Alyona and her mother.
Alena’s story shows how important the role of REActors is in protecting the rights of people living with HIV. Their help is not only in legal support but also in spreading knowledge that helps to reduce fears and stereotypes in society. People living with HIV have the same rights as everyone else and any discrimination based on HIV status is unacceptable. This case helped not only to protect Alena’s rights but also to bring important knowledge to other people.
Original article source (in Russian)
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Overcoming violence and bias due to HIV status: the story of Gularus from Tajikistan