Blame & Banishment - Médecins du Monde

Blame and Banishment: The underground HIV epidemic affecting children in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Children with a ‘plus’ status: Unwelcome in schools
As a result of stigmatization, children, young people and families affected by HIV are often
denied access to services and support, and their special needs are ignored. Although most
countries have introduced formal legislation preventing discrimination against people living
with HIV, its application is hindered by public attitudes. Reports from the region bear witness
to HIV-infected and affected children being refused entry to school and kindergartens, and
thereby being deprived of the education they are entitled to. As expressed by one mother:
“All kinds of excuses are used for refusing admission – from ‘lack of a free spot available’
to direct refusals like ‘go to another kindergarten’.” There are also reports of violations of
privacy and stigmatization when a child’s status is revealed to classmates and teachers.
According to Alla, the foster mother of an HIV-positive child:
“Someone broke the confidentiality of my son’s HIV status. We only realized this when we
saw other children constantly avoiding him. He has no friends. He sits alone. Nobody wants to
share his desk with him. His classmates say that he is ‘disgusting’ and refuse to play with him.
His only friend is his brother. Every day for us is a constant struggle because we have to prove
”
that we are ‘normal’ and that others don’t need to be afraid of us.
Tamara, a young HIV-positive mother hides her status to protect her HIV-negative son from stigma at his school.
© UNICEF Moldova
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