Rural Window: Rights Advocates Challenging Stigma & Discrimination
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A team of ten young men and women from socially excluded communities including marginalised youth, youth affected by severe polio and four HIV positive people were trained by Breakthrough to be Rights Advocates in Karnataka.
During the feedback Lata (name changed to protect identity) shared – “For the first time in my life after being HIV positive I feel like I am not living with the virus. These three days of the workshop has given a completely new meaning to my life. Today I am ready to take the first step in contributing to the betterment of society, rather than just wait for somebody else to give people like me our rights”
Breakthrough Rights Advocates including Lata have actively mobilised communities in two districts of Dakshin Kannada and Mandya as part of the Bell Bajao Campaign. Travelling with the video van they facilitated sessions using audio video tools, held discussions and performed over 160 shows of the street play over 40 days around domestic violence and stigma and discrimination around HIV/AIDS sensitizing over 833000 people.
The specific role of these rights advocates within the Bell Bajao Campaign has brought out the following results:
• It sent out a clear message that HIV positive people and people with disabilities can be as active as anybody else and work with passion, there by removing myths and misconceptions around these issues.
• Having a mixed group of people living with virus and those not affected by it removed any form of stigma and discrimination and promoted a spirit of inclusiveness.
• It gave our Rights Advocates a lot of confidence and self worth that they are contributing to a campaign which talks about larger issues and looks into gender based violence and HIV. Today they have become an inspiration to other people across board to actively contribute to the betterment of society. It takes initiative and passion to bring about change and set an example that if you take the first step there are thousands of other people who will follow you.
• Over eight lakh thirty three thousand people across two districts were sensitised on issues of DV and gender based violence and HIV.
• Currently our rights advocates are following up with some of the members whom they reached out to access services and also getting feedback from community on community action towards ending DV.
Tagged domestic violence, gender
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