The impact of Stigma and Discrimination on MARPS Organizations

1. The impact of Stigma and Discrimination on MARPS Organizations Presented by: Carolyn Reynolds Executive Director WIN-Belize Wednesday 29th Aug. ‘12 Biltmore Best Western

2. BACKGROUND ON WIN-BELIZE • Network of eighteen organizations working on issues affecting women and Most At Risk Populations in Belize • Motto: Working together for improved opportunities • Mission: WIN-Belize seeks to strengthen its network of civil society organizations, mobilize resources and advocate for gender equity and the empowerment of women in Belize. • Vision: WIN-Belize is a vibrant civil society network championing the rights of women especially those in difficult circumstances and advocates for gender equity in all aspects of Belize’s national development.

3. Reasons for Establishing Network To monitor national and international policies impacting the lives of women that they could not on their own address; To share information and exchange experiences on the work they were doing to improve the position and condition of women in Belize; and To support the efforts of members of the Network to raise funds for their work

4. WIN-Belize is Committed to The pursuit of Human Rights, which includes the rights of women Achieving Gender Equity and Gender Equality The Practice of Democratic Leadership

5. NAWG history USAID/PASCA approached AAA to discuss the possibility of developing an advocacy group in Belize under the Central American Initiative. AAA contacted WIN-Belize as a coordinating Agency to bring groups together. The National Advocacy Working Group was established after a two day workshop and started to work around May of 2009.

6. Why NAWG? To be more strategic with programs To develop new strategies for the reduction of HIV/AIDS cases To strengthen the coordination efforts among groups working on the issue To influence behaviour change among young people To identify gaps in the response to HIV/AIDS

7. Members of NAWG • Pan American Social Marketing Organization (PASMO) • Women’s Issues Network-Belize (WIN-BELIZE) • United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM) • Belize Family Life Association (BFLA) • Alliance Against AIDS (AAA) • Hand in Hand Ministries (HHM) • Methodist Church (MC) • Red Cross • Youth Enhancement Services (YES)

8. Priority Areas 1.- Prevention strategies within the context of Sexual and Reproductive Health; 2.-Integration of HIV-AIDS services within the Health Centers to ensure confidentiality, reduction of stigma and discrimination;

9. Priority Areas • 3.- Continuous monitoring of the budget assigned to HIV-AIDS to ensure that resources are assigned properly to preventive and treatment services. • 4.- Continuous monitoring of the implementation of HIV-AIDS policies by the public and labor sectors; • 5.- Support services to persons living with HIV including access to resources, treatment and care.

10. Mission • To influence policy makers to protect the right of all people living in Belize to live a healthy and productive life by effectively responding to HIV/AIDS and its related issues. Vision By 2014 the National Advocacy Committee sits at the policy table to formulate policies and ensure effective implementation of programs that respond to HIV/AIDS in Belize.

11. Advocacy Issues Prevention Strategies in the context of Sexual & Reproductive Health Policy are not fully considered and/or applied. Lack of integration of VCT Services has undermined treatment, referral, follow up, ARV supplies and has not dealt with S&D for all PLWHA especially vulnerable groups

12. MOH Testing & Counseling Guidelines The benefits of knowledge of HIV status can be seen at the individual, community and population levels. For the individual – enhanced ability to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV; making more informed choices for the future; and if HIV positive access HIV care, treatment and support; and protection of unborn infants.

13. For the community – a wider knowledge of HIV status and its links to interventions can lead to a reduction in denial, stigma and discrimination and to collective responsibility and action. At the country population level – knowledge of HIV epidemiological trends can influence the policy environment, a wider sensitization of HIV/AIDS and the reduction of stigma and discrimination.

14. Stigma and Discrimination on MARPS Organizations in Belize • Speak in the context of WIN’s members: • BFLA – the perception of this organization is that abortion is its primary service • Not having the education/information on the services they provide • Not interested in receiving knowledge on the services • Religious beliefs influences perception of the organization • Not understanding that the organization works within the parameters of the Law

15. UNIBAM Perception that legal challenge is to have same sex marriage in Belize • Sexual orientation of lead person challenging Section 53 of the Criminal Code • Organizations and individuals associated with Unibam is stigmatized & discriminated against • Advertisement misleading public • Limited education on the legal challenge • Recent workshop with Winners Women’s Group helped to clear up the purpose of the challenge

16. Haven House Perception that confidentiality is not adhered to Survivors of DV vulnerable to experiencing stigma and discrimination from service providers such as the police, health workers, magistrates Shelter provides services to women and children therefore organization is stigmatized and discriminated against by perpetrators and family members. Some clients are also affected and infected with HIV

17. Impact of Stigma & Discrimination within Network Network members work on issues of HIV, SRH&R, CSEC, GBV etc. Advocacy work on these issues are not always attractive to some network members which leads to them showing stigma & discrimination For example, these members refuse to acquire knowledge/information on the legal challenge

18. Other examples include low participation on advocacy work with: • Abortion • Commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescent • National dialogue on HR, Law and HIV • Low membership in NAWG

19. Conclusion All WIN-Belize members work using a human rights approach Personal beliefs and experiences influence the actions of persons and organizations

20. Prejudice Idea Human rights violation Stigma Attitude Results Discrimination Act The Cycle Leading to Human Rights Abuses Cycle

21. The End