Discrimination Response Team of Thoubal District formed
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 14, 2013: The Care and Support Centre, Manipur Network of Positive People+ Thoubal today organised a formal meeting for formation of Discrimination Response Team along with members of TI NGOs, CBOs, Legal Experts, Meira Paibis, Youth Club leaders, etc.

Delivering the key note address of the meeting, Ch Basanta Singh, DPC, CSC, Thoubal said that during the last 2 decades the PLHIV community members have been frequently marginalised from society due to stigma and discrimination which negatively impact on their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

There are very strong evidences of discrimination as evident by lack of relevant laws, violation of fundamental rights, self-stigmatization, etc.

PLHIV individuals continue to face discrimination in employment, medical care and confidentiality and from family and relatives and also denial of rights such as property rights and also denial of treatment in respectful manner.

Thus, addressing discrimination is a key aspect of reducing vulnerability as well as fostering quality of life.

In order to address discrimination, the VIHAAN Project has established community led Discrimination Response System through DLN and NGO partners.

The main objectives of the DRS is to enable PLHIV to understand different facets of discrimination and creating perceptions through VIHAAN programme and other activities that would lead to create effective mechanisms of sustained DRS and decrease in the number of cases, he added.

The Discrimination Response Team (24x7) which was formed today comprises one FSW, one MSM, one IDU, one Legal Expert (Lawyer), one Meira Paibi leader, NGO chief functionary, one local youth club leader and PC, PD and outreach workers of the Care and Support Centre, Thoubal.

The meeting was chaired by Ak.

Memcha Leima, President of Kangleipak Women Welfare Association.

M Ratan Singh, PM MNP+ Imphal; N Ranjit Singh, GIPA Coordinator, MACS; M Swami Singh, Advocate were also present during the meeting as Special Guests.

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