Thailand - 2009

In Thailand, the stigma index initiative is being implemented by the Thailand Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (TNP+) and is closely aligned with a project on AIDS rights advocacy and protection being implemented by the Foundation for AIDS Rights (FAR).

Key partners include an Advisory Committee involving key government agencies led by Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and Ministry of Public Health (MOPH); civil society led by Thai NGOs Coalition on AIDS (TNCA) and TNP+; academic institutions led by Ubonrachathani University; UN agencies led by UNAIDS and UNDP; international NGOs led by IPPF/PPAT,  ICW  and GNP+; and individual media like TV Thai PBS Board member.

Overall, work with the stigma index in Thailand aims to achieve: 

  • Wider recognition of HIV and AIDS and human rights
  • Use of evidence to inform monitoring and reviews of the national situation
  • Development of a human rights protection training curriculum and guidance manual for professionals, people living with HIV, and for officials involved in HIV and rights issues
  • Enhanced capacity of sub-national and national Networks of People living with HIV(TNP+) to collect and communicate information about the existing stigma and discrimination
  • Development of recommendations based on evidence to promote human rights and improve policy and programme efforts to address stigma and discrimination
  • The creation of opportunities for TNP+ members through training as research assistants, participating the research process (including outreach and referrals), and communicating the findings

 

Key achievements to date include:

  • Training and team development for 15 researchers and a coordinator. The group includes four women and seven men, including two who identify as men who have sex with men
  • Research underway in 10 sub-national zones including Bangkok, Central, Upper North, Lower North, Upper Northeast, Central Northeast, Lower Northeast, Upper South, Lower South and East
  • Development of a conceptual frame work, ethical review and research support tools
  • Interviews completed in face to face interviews with 210 participants
  • Initial experiences shared at a skill building session at the 12 th National AIDS Seminar on 27 May. The session was attended by 45 participants, which was more than the originally planned number(30)