Rights Commission, NACA partner to tackle HIV stigmatization

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS and the National Human Rights Commission are working towards addressing stigma, discrimination and other HIV-related human rights abuses.

NHRC Executive Secretary, Anthony Ojukwu, said the collaboration was key to eradicating degrading treatments “which have negative effects on people living with HIV and AIDS.”

Speaking when he led a delegation to the headquarters of NACA in Abuja,  Ojukwu said access to health and HIV-related human rights issues required speedy and coordinated approach.

NACA Director-General Dr Gambo Aliyu said the partnership would help address challenges of marginalized populations and individuals, particularly in the areas of HIV-related stigma and discrimination, gender-based violence and similar human violations in its programmatic activities.

NACA Director of Community Prevention and Care Services, Alex Ogundipe, said the agency was working with the UNDP to help ease access to justice for those whose rights were violated in the areas of HIV and AIDS-related stigmatization and discrimination.

The United Nations Development Programme Gender, Human Rights and AIDS  Officer, Onyinye Ndubuisi, said the partnership would go a long way in improving human rights issues in HIV and AIDS response.