teescha
05-27-2006, 09:54 AM
Sexually transmitted diseases are well known for triggering strong responses and reactions. In the past, in some epidemics, for example TB, the real or supposed contagiousness of the disease has resulted in the isolation and exclusion of infected people. From early in the AIDS epidemic a series of powerful images were used that reinforced and legitimised stigmatisation.
Many forms of the silent killer...
HIV/AIDS as punishment (e.g. for immoral behaviour)
HIV/AIDS as a crime (e.g. in relation to innocent and guilty victims)
HIV/AIDS as war (e.g. in relation to a virus which need to be fought)
HIV/AIDS as horror (e.g. in which infected people are demonised and feared)
HIV/AIDS as otherness (in which the disease is an affliction of those set apart)
Women and stigma...
A HIV positive mother of three, abandoned by her husband because of her infection statusThe impact of HIV/AIDS on women is particularly acute. In many developing countries, women are often economically, culturally and socially disadvantaged and lack equal access to treatment, financial support and education. In a number of societies, women are mistakenly perceived as the main transmitters of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Together with traditional beliefs about sex, blood and the transmission of other diseases, these beliefs provide a basis for the further stigmatisation of women within the context of HIV and AIDS
HIV-positive women are treated very differently from men in many developing countries. Men are likely to be 'excused' for their behaviour that resulted in their infection, whereas women are not.
In India, for example, the husbands who infected them may abandon women living with HIV or AIDS. Rejection by wider family members is also common. In some African countries, women, whose husbands have died from AIDS-related infections, have been blamed for their deaths.
Many forms of the silent killer...
HIV/AIDS as punishment (e.g. for immoral behaviour)
HIV/AIDS as a crime (e.g. in relation to innocent and guilty victims)
HIV/AIDS as war (e.g. in relation to a virus which need to be fought)
HIV/AIDS as horror (e.g. in which infected people are demonised and feared)
HIV/AIDS as otherness (in which the disease is an affliction of those set apart)
Women and stigma...
A HIV positive mother of three, abandoned by her husband because of her infection statusThe impact of HIV/AIDS on women is particularly acute. In many developing countries, women are often economically, culturally and socially disadvantaged and lack equal access to treatment, financial support and education. In a number of societies, women are mistakenly perceived as the main transmitters of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Together with traditional beliefs about sex, blood and the transmission of other diseases, these beliefs provide a basis for the further stigmatisation of women within the context of HIV and AIDS
HIV-positive women are treated very differently from men in many developing countries. Men are likely to be 'excused' for their behaviour that resulted in their infection, whereas women are not.
In India, for example, the husbands who infected them may abandon women living with HIV or AIDS. Rejection by wider family members is also common. In some African countries, women, whose husbands have died from AIDS-related infections, have been blamed for their deaths.