Acceptance and Participation of People Living with HIV In Serbian Society

Background:  Despite a number of programmes to prevent HIV among vulnerable groups and sexually diverse populations, stigma, discrimination, and human rights abuses are common in Serbia and they form a great obstacle to the prevention. Despite immense efforts in the last decade civil and human rights of PLHIV and vulnerable groups remain violated: they suffer from discrimination and violence in public and at home. Stigma and discrimination continue to pose a major barrier to an efficient fight against the HIV outbreak, and influencing all aspects of life of PLHIV and vulnerable population. According to the research on HIV and population at risk of HIV infection 2009-2010 almost one third of the participants have experienced some form of discrimination because of their HIV status or because they are member of one or more vulnerable groups. 

Program background:  1. Participation of PLHIV is the basic principle. The mobilization, participation and lobbying by PLHIV for improved rights is the key to the success and sustainability of this project. PLHIV groups get trainings focusing on organizational management and development, lobbying and advocacy, and AIDS education. 2. Formation of a National AIDS Expert Group that provides advice in the debate and development of public health legislations. This group of prominent experts with various backgrounds serves as agents for improving legislations and raising public awareness about the human rights of PLHIV.  3. Formation of a Parliamentary Group on HIV/AIDS within the National Assembly of Serbia

Evaluation Methods and Results: Ten local self-help PLHIV groups are now connected into a National Association of PLHIV and are actively promoting tackling discrimination and stigma and ensuring effective access to prevention and treatment. They have continual support of the National expert group and Parliamentarian group on HIV/AIDS at the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. As the result of cooperation between three components, 5 amendments to the laws aiming to improve legal position of PLHIV in Serbian society have submitted at the National Parliament. Two are accepted, one is discussed but not adopted, and two were not discussed. 

Conclusions: Somewhat inconsistent development of PLHIV organizations throughout Serbia is greatly improved by trainings. Greater involvement of PLHIV supported by the expert team and group of nine MPs increased public awareness about PLHIV issues in general and peaked in December 2009 by Speaker of the Serbian Parliament receiving group of PLHIV and after that sending letter to the Prime Minister asking prioritized issued to be addressed. 

Implications for research and/or practice: The next step is establishment of an effective replica of the Parliamentary group on HIV AIDS at the National level in province local governments that are actively engaged in debate and advocacy. Improvement of dialogue and understanding of the PLHIV and vulnerable communities with policy makers