Unit one
Notes to accompany slides
Teachers Notes Understanding the Human Rights Dimensions of HIV Aim: By the end of this resource students will have a heightened awareness of the Human Rights dimensions of HIV.
Outcome:
Í Understand the impact of stigma and discrimination on people living with HIV and the wider impact of stigma and discrimination on the epidemic.
Objective:
Í Identify a shared vision of humanity. Í Articulate what is sigma and discrimination Í List examples of sigma and discrimination Í Partake in fish bowl activity to reflect key learning’s from case studies Methodology: Think Pair Share, Case studies, Group work, Fish bowl.
Notes to accompany slides
Slide 2
Í Divide the participants into groups of 5/6. Provide each group with chart paper and markers and ask them to write down all words/answers to the question: Í What is it to be human? Opposite each answer/word, pupils should write down the requirements needed to be able to realise or satisfy our humanity. Chart and highlight from the student’s responses that the essence of being human is anchored on three basic principles, life, dignity and development. (See below) To be human means: Í To be able to engage in production or work which enables one to satisfy or meet his/her basic human needs like food, clothing, shelter and at the same time grow and develop;
Í To think and decide for oneself in a condition that is free from coercion. Humans need to acquire knowledge, and retain ideas and concepts, reason out and make choices; and
Í To develop one’s talents and potential in an environment that is free from alienation.
The essence of being human is anchored on three basic principles, namely: life, dignity and development. It is not enough that individuals survive in society. They must live as human beings should in an environment where they are able to satisfy their basic human needs, are able to live with dignity and respect; and are able to develop and maximise their full human potential, and this applies to people with HIV and others affected by the disease. Being human entails living with others. Individuals realise their humanity in the context of living collectively with others or as members of society. Becoming human is closely integrated with the pursuit of collective goals, and the promotion of societal interests. Concomitantly, the advancement of society is closely linked with the process of individuals realising their humanity. What vision for the world does this lead to?
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WHat Is It to be HUman? Í What are the requirements needed to be able to realize or satisfy our humanity? Life, Dignity, Development Í What vision for the world does this lead to?
Notes to accompany slides
Slide 3
Trocaire’s Vision Í Note how the students responses correlate with Trocaire’s vision, are they similar/different, why is that? Í Why is it important to have a shared vision of the world? Í Stigma and discrimination are issues that stand in the way of a shared vision and violate our human rights.
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tRócaIRe’s VIsIon Trócaire envisages a just and peaceful world where people’s dignity is ensured and rights are respected; where basic needs are met and resources are shared equitably; where people have control over their own lives and those in power act for the common good.
Notes to accompany slides
Slide 4
Ask your students: Í What is stigma and discrimination? Do these definitions show the full picture… what are they leaving out? Í Why do you think people stigmatise and discriminate? Í Why does stigma and discrimination fuel the epidemic?
Collins English Dictionary definition of stigma and discrimination.
Stigma A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance.
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Discrimination The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, esp. on the grounds of race, age, or sex.
Do these definitions show the full picture… what are they leaving out?
Stigma relates to attitudes, beliefs and attitudes related to HIV. Discrimination is the unfair and unjust treatment of people living with HIV.
Notes to accompany slides
Slide 5
Father Michael Kelly was born in Tullamore in 1929 and has lived and worked in Zambia for 50 years and is renowned globally as a HIV expert. Fr. Michael was one of the recipients of the first annual Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad in September 2012. He was commended for his work on HIV and AIDS by receiving the Peace, Reconciliation and Development Award. Optional Useful Video Clip The follow brief clip reinforces how stigmatization of HIV leads to discrimination. TV ad, ‘If I had HIV would you kiss me? ‘ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke2QKx26iNc
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“HIV and aIDs don’t discriminate but people do” Fr. Michael Kelly
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How might stigma affect a person with HIV?
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How might they be discriminated against?
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Brainstorm in your groups how stigma and discrimination fuel the HIV epidemic?
Click the link to view the TV ad ‘’If I had HIV would you kiss me?’’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke2QKx26iNc
Notes to accompany slides Slide 6 Before looking at the short case studies ask the students
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Would you treat a HIV diagnosis in a friend differently to a cancer diagnosis? Why/Why not?
Does it matter how a person contracts HIV?
Does the way a person contracts HIV influence how we treat them?
Notes to accompany slides Slide 7 1) Hand out one of the brief cases to each group and ask them to answer the follow questions a.What is the heart of the issue? b.Why is this person stigmatising/being stigmatised against? c.What can you do/what can be done about it? 2) Ask 1 person to act as a listener, who will note common themes, issues and general feeling in the group while others are discussing the questions.
actIVIty Group Work Circulate handout one Nominate a listener Group Discussion Questions
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What is the heart of the issue?
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Why is this person stigmatising/ being stigmatised/discriminating discriminated against?
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What would you do/can be done about it?
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Notes to accompany slides
Slide 8 Invite the listeners from each group to sit in the middle of the classroom (like a fish bowl) and discuss the common themes, issues and general feeling that came from the group when discussing the assigned questions.
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Fish bowl feed back
Notes to accompany slides
Slide 9 Answer the following question in your journal Ă? Why is HIV a Human Rights issue? Journal any other insights.
ansWeR tHe FolloWInG qUestIons In yoUR joURnal:
Why is HIV a Human Rights issue?
List which Human Rights are denied to people living with HIV?
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