The threat of a growing HIV epidemic in Egypt is momentous. One key barrier to a comprehensive national response is mounting stigma and discrimination mostly a result of prevailing misconceptions and prejudice. As a result, PLHIV in Egypt struggle to cope with social injustice.
“When we found out that he was HIV positive, I wanted to kick him out of the house! I was worried he would infect my other children; I did not know,” a mother of an HIV positive young man said.
Sitting by her side, the son smiled and explained that his mother did not know the modes of transmission, and that he believed she was scared because of the misinformation she had on HIV and AIDS. It was a major challenge for him to be abandoned by his family, yet the situation improved when a health worker from the UNICEF supported Home-Based Care Project visited them and clarified the son’s case. The young man is now living with his family, working, and is capable of dealing with the medical symptoms with guidance received from the nurses and health workers.
“From the day I found out I was HIV positive, I was waiting for the day I die. I never thought that I can carry on with my life and that my HIV status can be a means for me to support others,” said a 38-year-old man who has been living with HIV for seven years.
Although he has not been able to disclose his HIV status publicly fearing stigma, this young man is an active advocate and peer educator on various UN supported HIV programs. Mohamed is an outstanding outreach worker on the vulnerable men project in Cairo supported by UNAIDS. He is one of the founding members of the association of people living with HIV supported by UNICEF and UNAIDS. He has also participated in education programs for religious leaders and medical students supported by UNDP and UNICEF respectively.
Marwan decided to apply for voluntary counseling and testing after receiving an awareness-raising session on HIV inside one of the prisons in Egypt, a project supported by UNODC.
“My biggest fear after finding out that I am HIV positive was that I may not be released from prison or that if I am released that I would place my wife at risk of infection.” Six months later, Marwan was released from prison and through continued counseling; he was informed about how to manage his HIV status protecting himself and others.
Several efforts by the UN and partners have been initiated to build the capacity of people living with HIV, to strengthen networks among them and to channel their potential from passive individuals to active advocates. Involving and capacitating of PLHIV is fundamental not only because it helps to improve their quality of life but also because it is a key aspect of a comprehensive response to HIV.
This article was contributed by the UNAIDS to celebrate UN Day.
