Forum to highlight AIDS stigma

The Regional AIDS Initiative of Southern Africa (RAISA), a programme of the UK-based Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO), will bring together activists and experts from six southern African countries to discuss AIDS-related stigma and discrimination. Delegates to the conference in the South African capital, Pretoria, will examine the theme, 'You don't belong here - Fear, Blame and Shame around HIV and AIDS', and the rejection of HIV-positive people as a barrier to effective anti-AIDS responses from 25 to 27 October. Bongai Mundeta, the VSO-RAISA regional director, said in a statement, "Fear of discrimination prevents people from getting tested for HIV, seeking treatment and accepting and disclosing their HIV status. Fighting stigma and discrimination is as important as developing medical cures for HIV/AIDS."