Civil Society Group Calls for End to HIV/AIDS Discrimination in Religious Institutions

• Civil Society Group Calls for End to HIV/AIDS Discrimination in Religious Institutions

In line with the Anti Discrimination Act 2014, the Coalition of Civil Society Network for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria has urged religious institutions in the country to stop the imposition of HIV/AIDS testing on intending couples as a precondition for conducting a wedding.

The Chairman of the Society, Mr Ikenna Nwakanma made this plea on Monday, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja.

He emphasized the need for dialogue with religious leaders on the issue of HIV/AIDS discrimination as well as a change of perception and conventional but wrong practices regarding the disease. He said that this was necessary to stop the scourge of discrimination and stigmatization in the country. He, however, stressed that there will be a need to “make scapegoats” of erring religious leaders and others who consistently refuse to oblige. He also reiterates the importance of calling for the domestication of the law by state legislatures.

He said, “We need to make scapegoats of individuals and institutions violating the National Anti-discrimination Act.

“We need to maintain dialogue with religious leaders to reconstruct their narratives about HIV test they demand from people preparing for wedding in their congregations.

“Compulsory tests by religious bodies are one of the major drivers of HIV stigma and discrimination, which is totally against the Anti-discrimination Act.”

The Chairman also expressed his frustration about the persistence of HIV/AIDS decimation in the country despite all efforts and investments put in place in sensitizing people against HIV/AIDS discrimination.

He said, “Not long ago, we heard about a health worker who made derogatory statement about her HIV positive clients.

“If the health worker who should know better is so ignorant and deficient in attitude, you can imagine how it is among the general public,” he added.

He called on continuous aggressive sensitization and engagement of all stakeholders; particularly religious leaders and the general public regarding the issue of HIV/AIDS discrimination.