ISLAMABAD - The HIV-related stigma and discrimination for the people infected with the disease or those who are at the risk of contracting the disease make it difficult for the suffers to exercise their human rights, a study found.
The study also shows that overall 86.3 percent youngsters are engaged in risky behaviours (sexual engagements) while maximum risky behaviour was noted among the people aging between 21 to 24 years of age. Association of People Living with HIV [APLHIV], a nationwide network of HIV community, conducted a national level research study focusing on ‘The Needs of Young People Living with HIV and Young Key Populations aging from 15 to 24 years of age.’
The research was aimed to appraise with the needs of young PLHIV and members of young key populations with regard to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services and their access to human rights and empowerment.
As per available data, there are 12,200 young people aging from 15-24 years who are infected with HIV/AID across the country. And an estimated number of young members of key population — sex workers, transgender community and drug injecting users - is 150,000. It is important to note that 95 percent of new infections in young people occur in key populations.
A total of 300 respondents from 14 districts across the country were questioned for the study. It shows that over 92 percent respondents thought risky behaviours to be a cause of HIV infection, whereas 53 percent were of the opinion that injecting drugs increases the risk of HIV infection. The study reported 58 percent of the respondents sharing the syringes.
The study found extremely high level of stigma and discrimination among the respondents: 88.7% felt marginalised in daily life, 87% were found to be locally affected due to their HIV status or relation with key population, 85.7% felt stigmatised in performing their daily activities.
Self-stigma was recorded as high as 86.7 percent, data shows. As many as, 73 percent of the respondent denied the existence of youth specific services in the country and Hepatitis was recorded as the most known opportunistic infection among the participants.
Only 37 percent youngsters were found to be satisfied with the provision of services while over 50 percent had some kind of difficulty in exercising their human rights. 67.5 percent were of the view that they were well cared by their families while 54 percent of the respondents were of the view that society should play its role for reduction of stigma and discrimination.
Asghar Ilyas Satti, National Coordinator of the APLHIV said the study recommends to develop a national strategy for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support for young people, lobbying to incorporate same in provincial AIDS strategies, abolishing age restrictions in program delivery, meaningful involvement of young people at policy and decision making levels.
Youth friendly services and spaces for communication was another recommendation of the study. The study also strongly recommended protecting the rights of young people. It also suggested for taking anti-discriminatory and anti-stigma measures.
The event also witnessed the launch of Y Chapter—the first ever Youth Network consisting of key populations and young people living with HIV in Pakistan to mobilize young people from infected and affected communities and to develop skilled and empowered leaders for tomorrow. The launching ceremony was attended by a large number of stakeholders from across the country and youth who asked for anti-discriminatory policies to be put in place, sensitisation on gender issues, capacity building of the youth leaders, continuity of the project for Y Chapter under the APLHIV, their engagement at policy and decision making levels.
National Program Manager of National AIDS Control Program, Dr Baseer Khan Achakzai formally announced the launching of Y Chapter and also assured that government notification shall be issued soon. Termed the launching of Y Chapter as a mile stone in shaping the HIV response, Tariq Zafar, CEO Nai Zindagi was of the view that “the mistakes that we have been making in past must not be repeated in future and that can be made possible only by involving the young generation at policy and decision making levels”.
He asked the youth to make use of the opportunity and ensure their due share in shaping the HIV response.
Country Director UNDP-Pakistan, Marc Andery, opined that true ownership of government can eradicate this epidemic.