Sunday, July 28, 2019

Human Touch Foundation & Just Imagine to intensify drive to end HIV stigma, in Goa

From Prakash Kamat in Panaji

July 28-The Human Touch Foundation(HTF), Goa continues its sensitisation drive across the State of Goa  to end HIV stigma.
HTF and Just Imagine in collaboration with Goa Department of Education and Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) held a half day sensitization workshop on “Let’s End HIV Stigma” on Saturday, July 27 in an attempt at improving the mindsets and the approach of educational institutions when dealing with children and adolescents living with HIV.
The workshop was attended by 53 heads of  institution and teachers from Salcete, Mormugao and Quepem at Baywatch Resort, Sernabatim-Colva,Goa
Dr. Angelica Siona Gomes, Project Director spoke on the need for combating stigma and working towards zero discrimination in line with the global goals.
Mr. Peter F Borges, CEO and founder of HTF spoke in a detailed manner on stigma and discrimination by giving citing incidents of discrimination happening in various educational institutions. Further, he explained use of appropriate language which is more preferred in reducing prevailing stigma and discrimination.
Peter also spoke about egislations with respect to stigma and discrimination, i.e Goa Children’s Act 2004, the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control), Act 2017 and also judgements of the Supreme Court which are meant to protect the rights of those living with HIV.
A personal experience was shared by one of the adolescent living with HIV on how she underwent ordeal when she was expelled from school because of her HIV status in 2014.
Mr. Himanshu Patel, Founder of Just Imagine earlier spoke on the need to eradicate stigma and discrimination in school setting and spelt out plans of Just Imagine to conduct more such workshops across the State.(eom)




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