What is HIV and AIDS?

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Time Activity
Activity 5.5: Different People
Section 5: Stigma and Discrimination
Activity Outline
Objective: At the end of this activity, participants should be able to understand how stigma
affects different people.
Duration/Timing: 70 minutes
Materials/Resources: Flipchart paper, pens.
Before the session, prepare flipchart papers with target groups written at the
top of each one. Target groups can include: people living with HIV and AIDS,
community workers, children, commercial sex workers, intravenous drug
users, women, and men. Lay these flipcharts on the floor or tape on the wall.
20 minutes 1. Spilt into smaller groups. Assign each group a target group.
2. Ask the groups to brainstorm “How does stigma affect your target group?”
and write down thoughts on flipchart. Ask participants to think of
immediate effects such as isolation and depression and secondary and
long-term effects such as loss of job, suicide.
15 minutes
3. After a few minutes, shout “Change!” and ask groups to move onto the
next target group and add any points. Continue until groups have
contributed to all flipcharts.
4. Ask groups to stand by their original flipchart and feedback on main
points. Explore the comments with the wider group, asking for clarification
and commenting on anything unusual.
20 minutes 5. Ask the group: “How does stigma and discrimination affect people
accessing HIV and AIDS services and prevention? Can work in smaller
groups or as a big group to discuss.
15 minutes 6. Summary – stigma and discrimination has many effects that are both
immediate and long-term. In terms of HIV and AIDS, stigma can :
Prevent people learning their HIV status through testing because of
fear.
Discourage people from telling their partners their status which could
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