Understanding and Challenging Stigma toward ... - Pact Cambodia

E4
Action – Writing a Code of Conduct for
a “Stigma and Discrimination Free Health
Facility”
Example Responses:
The examples below are not the required answers, and you are not expected to read them
out loud. They are included to illustrate the type of responses expected and can help you
identify issues you may want to raise, if they are not raised by participants. However, you
should let each group come up with their own ideas. Remember: there are no right and
wrong answers.
Stigma and Barriers in the Clinic:
MSM patients are kept waiting a long time. Other patients are served first
Bureaucratic and unfriendly treatment and insulting language
Health facility staff gossip about MSM patients and show their disapproval/
judging
Breach confidentiality, e.g., some health facility staff tell other staff and patients
about MSM patients
Blaming and shaming: “You deserve to get this, because of your disgusting
behavior.”
Health staff lack skills and knowledge to diagnose and treat STIs triggered by
anal or oral sex
Health staff are uncomfortable talking about sexual practices without
judgment
Health staff more concerned about the MSM’s sexual orientation than dealing
with the illness
Some MSM patients (e.g., short hair MSM) do not reveal their sexual orientation
because of fears of being stigmatized, so health workers lack the information
needed to make a full diagnosis
Some long hair MSM are reluctant to access health services because they have
a man’s name but a woman’s appearance
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