People in the Pacific face discrimination based on who they are what they do, says Jokapeci Cati.
The Fiji Network Plus co-ordinator was speaking when the United Nations Development Pacific and Fiji Network Plus launched an overview report of people living with HIV-AIDS at Holiday Inn in Suva yesterday.
The people living with HIV stigma index study, was carried out in seven Pacific island regions: Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Marshall Islands, Samoa, Palau, Kiribati, Tonga and Vanuatu.
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The study provided personal accounts of people living with HIV and recommendations for communities and governments to consider in effectively addressing the issue.
Ms Cati said that several of there members in Fiji experienced discrimination within their community and in places where safeguards should be in place against unjust treatment.
“One of its members reported dismissal from his job based on a rumour about his HIV status.
“Even in healthcare settings, mothers living with HIV are mostly isolated from other people, and some healthcare workers compound the problem because of their discriminating attitude.”
UNAIDs Pacific country director Renata Ram said ending discrimination requires all of us to work together.
“Discrimination is a violation of human rights. We all have a duty to challenge that.
“We need to speak up when we witness discrimination happening in our societies and prevent it from further escalating.
“Discrimination is a barrier for many people in accessing healthcare services, and in achieving a more just and equitable world.”
“UNAIDS encourages everyone to use the Zero Discrimination Day as an opportunity to highlight how we all can be part of the transformation and take a stand for a fair, respectful and just society.”
Edited by George Kulamaiwasa
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