Nearly
one thousand schoolchildren, young people and their parents came
to the “Kyevepoplaza” exhibition centre in Kyiv,
Ukraine from 31 March to 2 April for the International “country
of childhood” exhibition.
The Ukrainian Red Cross launched a new HIV and AIDS awareness and
anti-stigma campaign during the exhibition. Participants sang
songs, read poetry and performed stand-up plays to get the campaign
underway. More than 300 school children visited Red Cross stand
at the exhibition during the first day and thus took part in
anti-stigma campaign that will reach 50,000 people directly
and many more Ukrainians indirectly through peer-to-peer sessions
and information activities.
Using personal stories to pass the message
The HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention programmes in Ukraine
are deeply intertwined with anti-stigma activities and home-based
care support for people living with HIV. Material used
to increase the tolerance and mutual understanding incorporate
the stories of people living HIV and those taking care of them.
These stories are written by nurses who do home-based care.
The HIV and AIDS work of the Ukrainian Red Cross already includes
the mobilization of young adults and adolescents for peer support
and awareness campaigns; the promotion of a healthy lifestyle;
HIV/TB awareness among imprisoned youth; and care and support
to those living with HIV.
Reaching young children and their parentes
Communication tools aiming to change the behaviour and attitudes
of primary school children are now being further developed.
These include cartoons, colourful flags, and attractive stickers
with messages on tolerance aiming to raise children’s
interest in humanitarian values such as love, trust and respect
of others. Furthermore, the Ukrainian Red Cross is keen to reach
out to the parents of the young people, as, according to national
anti-stigma public surveys, adults are more receptive to myths
about HIV and AIDS and HIV-positive people than children.
Playing to explain
Olya, 15, is one of many who turned out to participate in the
launch. As most girls her age, she thinks about her attitudes
and likes to discuss boys and get attention. She wants to be
a future star and devotes most of her free time to playing the
saxophone.
Today, I decided to help my friends from the Ukrainian Red
Cross youth volunteer club in Kyiv with a social theatre on
anti-stigma, Olya explains.
" On stage, I am a stigmatized person, covered with stickers
displaying common myths related to HIV infection. I feel lonely
and play a very sad song, but then the Red Cross volunteers
appear and cover themselves with the stickers as well, thus
showing no prejudice towards people living with HIV. Accompanied
by them, I play a positive melody full of life and emotions,"
she concludes.
Discrimination and myths are still around
According to an official national survey organized by the ministry
of health, 98 per cent of young people have heard about HIV and AIDS. However,
33 per cent of them believe in one or more myth about HIV transmission.
This means that a high level of knowledge is not a guarantee
for personal understanding, behaviour and practices in common
life. Furthermore, 37 per cent of Ukrainians think that HIV-positive
children should attend separate kindergartens and schools.
Discrimination is a violation of human rights, and the need
to find a more effective way to reduce the stigma of both parents
and children is evident. Through its commitment to the Fundamental
Principles and humanitarian values of the Red Cross Red
Crescent Movement, the Ukrainian Red Cross feels that it has
a unique possibility to improve tolerance and reduce stigma
towards people living with HIV through public education and
dissemination of humanitarian values.
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| Ukraine
Red Cross youth volunteers say 'no' to stigma and discrimination.
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| Red
Cross youth social theatre performance on the stage.
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| Olya,
a 15 years old Red Cross volunteer tells her opinion on
HIV-related stigma. |
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| Parents
were interested in Red Cross information booklets, while
their children enjoyed the show.
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| 'Country
of childhood' logo.
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