Abuja – Nigeria has officially joined the global partnership aimed at eliminating HIV-related stigma and discrimination, marking a renewed commitment to addressing a persistent challenge even as the country makes strides in HIV treatment.
The announcement coincided with Zero Discrimination Day, at a joint event hosted by UNAIDS and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) at the United Nations office in Abuja.
Treatment Progress, Stigma Persists
UNAIDS Country Director, Leopold Zekeng, highlighted significant progress in Nigeria’s fight against HIV, stating a 55% reduction in HIV-related deaths and a 50% reduction in new infections. However, he emphasized that stigma and discrimination remain a major obstacle, stating, “discrimination kills faster than the disease itself,” and that people living with HIV still face threats to their lives and livelihoods.
Analysis: The Stigma Challenge
Nigeria, with an estimated 1.9 million people living with HIV/AIDS, faces a significant challenge in combating stigma. HIV-related stigma and discrimination are recognized as major barriers to effective HIV prevention, treatment, and care.
Data from the Nigeria People Living with HIV Stigma Index Survey 2.0 reveals:
- 22% of respondents have experienced stigma and discrimination.
- 10.9% reported human rights abuses.
- Of those abused, only 1 in 4 sought redress.
- 40.8% of those who did not seek redress were unaware of how to do so.
- 5% believed justice was unattainable, and 12% feared HIV status disclosure.
NACA’s Commitment
James Anenih, representing NACA, affirmed the agency’s commitment to creating a society where people living with HIV are treated with dignity. Joining the global partnership entails collaborating with various stakeholders to:
- Identify policy and program gaps.
- Implement evidence-informed interventions.
- Track progress in eliminating stigma and discrimination.
- Assess and address the current state of stigma.
NACA will implement the Global Partnership through:
- Strengthening legal and policy frameworks.
- Community engagement and education.
- Improving healthcare access and quality.
- Providing support services.
- Monitoring and evaluation.
National Human Rights Commission’s Perspective
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), represented by Doose Shiishi-Gyer, echoed the concerns about stigma. They emphasized that:
- Stigma hinders access to healthcare and aggravates the HIV epidemic.
- Marginalized groups face intersecting forms of discrimination.
- Law enforcement officials often lack understanding of these issues.
The NHRC is addressing these issues through initiatives such as:
- Access to Justice Forum.
- Emergency Response Framework.
- NHRC Toll-Free Line (6472).
- Bauchi Ningi 3 Intervention.
- Guidelines for the Protection of the Rights of Key Populations.
The NHRC called for stricter enforcement of the HIV and AIDS (Anti-Discrimination) Act of 2014, increased awareness, and community engagement.
Moving Forward
Nigeria’s participation in the global partnership offers an opportunity to strengthen its efforts through:
- Domestication and implementation of the HIV/AIDS Anti-Discrimination Act in all states.
- Addressing stigma and discrimination across all settings.
- Community-led initiatives.
- Ensuring accountability for human rights violations.
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