Sexual and reproductive health services and HIV testing: perspectives and experiences of women and men living with HIV and AIDS.

All over the world HIV has been stigmatised, making it difficult for people living with HIV to access testing, treatment, care and counselling or even to act on a diagnosis or get advice and treatment, for fear of being judged. Prejudice in society has also often been reflected and reproduced by health care providers. A human rights approach, which positively incorporates sexual and reproductive rights, rather than a restricted medical view, is therefore essential for the achievement of true partnerships between health care providers and service users. This paper is about the experiences of HIV positive women and men in sexual and reproductive health services and HIV testing. It provides guidance not only on how things could and should be done but also on how they should not be done. It outlines the sexual and reproductive rights positive people consider crucial and gives examples of how these are being violated. It presents perceptions and implications of HIV testing and how health services can support people after a positive diagnosis. It analyses the importance of confidentiality, continuity of care, knowledge and information, and the role of support groups and home-based care. It calls on sexual and reproductive health services to address issues of stigma and discrimination when offering and carrying out HIV testing and counselling, and in providing treatment, care and support.

Bangkok 2004. Young women living with HIV/AIDS have rights too: a personal testimonial.

Many women living with HIV/AIDS continue to be treated as second-class citizens. In this presentation prepared for "Acting on rights: women, HIV/AIDS and the Barcelona Bill of Rights," a satellite meeting held on 11 July 2004, Promise Mthembu poignantly describes the stigma, discrimination, and abuse that she has faced as a young HIV-positive woman in Africa. The presentation discusses the issues of violence, disclosure, power imbalances in relationships, reproductive rights, safer sex, and access to health care. The presentation concludes with a series of specific recommendations for helping women living with HIV/AIDS realize their rights. Because Ms Mthembu was unable to attend the meeting in person, her presentation was read by Kanjoo Mbaindjikua, who told the delegates at the meeting that she shares many of Ms Mthembu's circumstances and experiences.