Removing The Stigma and Discrimination for People with HIV/AIDS: The Main Role of Civil Society

Abstract

HIV/AIDS cases in Indonesia continue to increase and have spread to all provinces in Indonesia. Bandung is one of the cities with a high number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Indonesia. As one of the areas with the highest number of reported HIV cases, the Bandung city government seeks prevention and treatment through the role of existing stakeholders. However, stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV & AIDS, now referred to as PLHIV, are still found and are difficult to eliminate. People diagnosed as contaminated with the HIV & AIDS virus often get a negative stigma. This study aims to analyze how to remove the stigma and discrimination of people with HIV/AIDS through the role of civil society. The research results show that stigma against HIV is often directed at certain minority groups and is often associated with morals and religion. Meanwhile, discrimination against people with HIV is manifested in violations of individual rights in the economic, social, and cultural spheres. The issue of stigma and discrimination against PLWHA has not received serious attention. Therefore, the role of civil society is very important because it can open a dialogue with the community regarding HIV/AIDS to dispel myths that tend to discriminate against PLHIV.