HIV community audience award for voices against discrimination

With "AfroLebenVoice", the nationwide network of HIV-positive migrants has responded to discrimination. It received an award for this at the German-Austrian Aids Congress (DÖAK).

Experiencing discrimination is one thing, portraying it is another. HIV-positive migrants experience time and again how much multiple stigmatization makes it difficult to deal with their own infection - and how difficult it is to talk about it, whether due to traumatic experiences or language barriers. But making discrimination an issue is the start of change.

This is also the idea behind AfroLebenVoice. The aim of the project: to get people to speak and make their voices heard. The HIV community was also enthusiastic about how the Netzwerk Afro-Leben plus implemented the idea: The majority of DÖAK participants voted in favor of awarding the HIV Community Prize to AfroLebenVoice. This means that 2,000 euros will go to the nationwide network of HIV-positive migrants, donated by the Deutsche Arbeitsgemeinschaft niedergelassener Ärzte in der Versorgung HIV-Infizierter e. V. (dagnä) and the pharmaceutical company Janssen.

"It is particularly pleasing that the great work of the network, which is now twelve years old, has been recognized for the first time after several applications," said Tanja Gangarova from the Migration Department of Deutsche Aids-Hilfe. This also confirms the successful cooperation of all those involved, including DAH.In addition to a mobile exhibition, a calendar and a theater group, the results of AfroLebenVoice also include a photo book: "Pictures open the door to tell personal stories," explains Gangarova. Everyone should be able to tell their story, regardless of their education and background. The aim is to make others understand what stigmatization and discrimination mean.In the protected environment of the project, the 16 participants were able to learn, among other things, what rights they have and how they can defend themselves. Above all, however, they experienced that they are not alone with their experiences. For many, the project therefore also had a therapeutic effect: "It was liberating for them to tell their personal stories," says Tanja Gangarova. "That made AfroLebenVoice a particularly emotional project."

The photo book has also motivated some readers to submit their own contributions. "I've never seen media move people so much," says Gangarova. "Making a difference by making discrimination visible - it was worth it!"

(mima)

Information about AfroLebenVoiceWebsite Afro-Leben plus