On Zero Discrimination Day, Human Touch Foundation called for action to change discriminatory laws and practices - a significant barrier to access health and other services and make positive changes to ensure equality, inclusion and protection.
Human Touch held a community conversation in collaboration with Goa State AIDS Control Society discussing specific actions that individuals, civil society organizations and government can take to change discriminatory laws and practices. The panel included the likes of Dr. (Fr.) Allan Tavares, Administrator, Fr. Agnel College, Pilar – Goa; Dr. Shradha Mulgaonkar Patil, Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Past President of Indian Medical Association Mormugao; Monika S Kshatriya, Journalist and Gender Rights activist representing transgender activist Diana Dias from Wajood; Albertina Almeida, Advocate and Human Rights Activist; Dr. Adlina Braganza, Associate Professor and HOD Psychology, at Carmel College; and Celina D’Costa volunteer at IMAX Cooperative. The welcome address was delivered by Dr Jose D’Sa Project Director, GSACS. He stressed on the attainment of the national plan for HIV which speak about the three zeros - Zero new Infections Zero HIV related deaths and Zero discrimination. He highlighted that knowledge is needed to empower people and reduce discrimination and the achievements of the GSACS. “We have started viral load testing in Goa and aim to get a higher viral load suppression outcome. Our mother-to-child transmission rates have also reduced, to the last case detected in 2017, this is a big achievement for GSACS.” he said. Fr Allan who touched upon the stigma, discrimination and faith stated that what is considered normal does not need to be so. “Stereotyping happens everywhere and discrimination is a result of fear of the unknown and ignorance. How we tackle it depends on our education, we need to educate ourselves with knowledge.” He also pointed out the society’s judgement of what is normal is not necessarily the ideal way to function. Monika reading out what Daina had to say spoke about the many faces of transgender discrimination. She said that the Transgender bill which was passed without taking in to consent any transpeople was derogatory to them. “The law itself is discriminating.” Dr. Shradha who spoke about the medical field’s perseverance towards zero discrimination in health-care settings said that sometimes the preoperative testing and precautions could be seen as discriminatory in certain circumstances. “We live in a society that panics very fast. We always teach our students to take precautions, but we also have to now counsel them about discrimination and how to tackle it.” Albertina who spoke about the legal framework against HIV discrimination said that there are laws passed but not implemented in the sphere of human rights. “The law states that anyone who is discriminated against can approach an ombudsman but are there any people appointed for the post? Discrimination of HIV related grounds has a penalty but it is rarely initiated,” she said. Aldina speaking about zero discrimination in educational settings said that the system is afraid of answering questions regarding sexual identity and orientation; and that the educational system needs to bridge the gap of what the youth want to learn and what is taught to them. Celina spoke about the lived experiences of stigma and discrimination. Sharing her experience about discovering her status and being ill-treated by her family, she said that she is well established now, there are different levels of discrimination faced in every sphere of life. Moderating the discussions, Peter F. Borges, Founder of Human Touch Foundation called on the government to adopt structural interventions to prevent HIV among most at risk population and combat social and cultural attitudes leading to discrimination. Human Touch Foundation is actively working with Goa State AIDS Control Society to eliminate all forms of HIV-related stigma and discrimination against those living with HIV as well as those, most at risk of acquiring HIV. Iris C F Gomes Editor of Prutha (www.pruthagoa.com) Find us on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/pruthagoa?fref=ts> Google+ <https://plus.google.com/u/0/+PruthaGoa/posts> Twitter <https://twitter.com/Pruthagoa?lang=en> LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/company/prutha-goa?trk=biz-companies-cym>
