Discrimination
"Unfair treatment or opinions against a person based on class, race, religion, appearance, etc."
Discrimination violates a person's Human
Rights.
Discrimination can also be seen as acting on a stigma.
When we discriminate we act negatively towards a person because of some perceived mark or stain that they have.
Many minority groups have been discrminated agains over the years.
Discrimination is wrong because it causes wars, poverty, it breaks up families, and it even causes death.
In all forms and fashions Discrimination is WRONG. Each person has a right to live, to be happy, to work, to be without harm no matter how different or strange they may appear and that goes for you to.
No one should ever infringe on the HUMAN RIGHTS of another.
CAUSES of Stigma & Discrimination
The stigma of HIV/AIDS often brings shame upon the person(s) infected, their family and/or the wider community.
This is because HIV/AIDS is often wrongly perceived to be only associated with behaviours such as homosexuality, drug addiction or promiscuity and it is often seen as the result of a person's irresponsibility.
Factors which contribute to HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discriminiation are;
- HIV/AIDS is a life-threatening disease.
- People are scared of contracting HIV.
- The disease is associated with behaviours that are already stigmatised in many societies. (e.g Homosexuality, prostitution or promiscuity).
- People living with HIV/AIDS are often thought of as being responsible for becoming infected.
- Religious or moral beliefs lead some people to believe that having HIV/AIDS is the result of doing bad and hence a deserving punishment.
- Misinformation/ Ignorance.
- Socio Economic Status. To some HIV is still seen as a poor man's diseaase.
