Anti-HIV/AIDS Stigma and Discrimination Law in Tanzania

Lessons from Selected Districts and Municipalities in Mainland Tanzania

Abstract

 HIV/AIDS is still a major life threatening concern in Tanzania. The Government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have made recommendable efforts to provide public education on the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS that have a bit contributed to the decrease of new infections. However, the efforts by the government and NGOs to suppress the spread of HIV/AIDS are yet to bring the expected results mainly because of the prevalence of stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHIVA). Continued HIV/ AIDS stigma and discrimination implies that there are weaknesses either in the law and its enforcement or there are other factors beyond the legal purview. This Article examines the anti-HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination law and its enforcement in Tanzania. The article is an extract of research findings which were obtained through desk review and in-depth interviews conducted in four Councils of Mainland Tanzania. The article illuminates that, notwithstanding the law and the provision of community awareness on HIV transmission, HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and protective gears; HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination is still prevalent. Moreover, the light of PLWHIVA not to be stigmatized and discriminated is yet to be realized because of weaknesses in the law and its enforcement, little community awareness of the law and its enforcement and the ways HIV/AIDS is transmitted as well as wrong community perceptions towards PLWHIV/ AIDS. Thus, the Article opines for the Government to- formulate viable anti-HIV/ AIDS stigma and discrimination policies; enact strict laws against perpetrators of stigma and discrimination; provide more community awareness; and to improve the system of providing health care facilities to the PLWHIVA.