During my time in Mysore, India I had the privilege of being able to meet and work with Professor Sandeep Raj.
Field Research Interview
Dr. Vijaja Sriwas explaining our goal & limitations in providing care at the Cervical Cancer Camps
Stigma & Social Pressure Surrounding HIV positive/negative Indian Women
India's population is among one of the most severely affected by HIV. Most of it, contrary to popular belief, contracted heterosexually. The stigma and social shame surrounding HIV is negative, and uneducated. Some attitudes supporting the idea that is some sort of bestowed karma to the individual who suffers from it. Although vastly spread throughout the world HIV is still spoken about and considered as taboo. The biggest issue in getting this epidemic under control is education on prevention as well as getting treatment to reach severely affected areas, where over 25% of the population doesn't even know they are infected.
India's population is among one of the most severely affected by HIV. Most of it, contrary to popular belief, contracted heterosexually. The stigma and social shame surrounding HIV is negative, and uneducated. Some attitudes supporting the idea that is some sort of bestowed karma to the individual who suffers from it. Although vastly spread throughout the world HIV is still spoken about and considered as taboo. The biggest issue in getting this epidemic under control is education on prevention as well as getting treatment to reach severely affected areas, where over 25% of the population doesn't even know they are infected.
Pre Departure Research Critique
I’m Not Sure How Truly Different We Are When It Comes To The Taboo….
As I’ve continually reminded the ones around me of my approaching trip to India, I get a lot of different reactions. One that has really stuck with me has been that of “ Wow, you can’t even show your shoulders? They’re so stuck in the past over there.” Although I’m grateful and proud of my roots growing up in the western part of the world where there is more gender equality and freedom of expression, I feel that in many ways we too are stuck in the past right on our own homefront.
As I’ve pondered how it will be when I go to Mysore and conduct research on the stigmas surrounding HIV positive and negative women, despite the many difference between our cultural boundaries, I suspect so many frightening similarities. As my friends warm me of the extreme amount of conservatism I will face upon arriving, I wonder how open minded we really are? As I try to place myself in the shoes of these women living in a completely different cultural context, I imagine what it would be like to deal with something considered so taboo. That’s when I come to the realization it still is so taboo everywhere. Despite HIV’s rising prominence across the world it’s still considered taboo and shameful. I recall watching a netflix documentary where HIV sufferers describe how shameful they would feel to even go get medication. So ashamed in fact that one person spoke on how their shame, denial and the social stigma surrounding HIV led him to progression into AIDS. That's when I also realized how much of a global health issue this was and how my friends shouldn’t feel so bad for the Indian community when we deal with plenty of it on our own homefront.
I am so excited to hear the stories from these women and also compare the collectivism among the female community and whether or not they would support each other if one was to be affected by HIV. It is so crucial to overcome these unspoken road blocks and open the gates of communication so that women can be helped and not harmed by their society or their own criticism.
I’m Not Sure How Truly Different We Are When It Comes To The Taboo….
As I’ve continually reminded the ones around me of my approaching trip to India, I get a lot of different reactions. One that has really stuck with me has been that of “ Wow, you can’t even show your shoulders? They’re so stuck in the past over there.” Although I’m grateful and proud of my roots growing up in the western part of the world where there is more gender equality and freedom of expression, I feel that in many ways we too are stuck in the past right on our own homefront.
As I’ve pondered how it will be when I go to Mysore and conduct research on the stigmas surrounding HIV positive and negative women, despite the many difference between our cultural boundaries, I suspect so many frightening similarities. As my friends warm me of the extreme amount of conservatism I will face upon arriving, I wonder how open minded we really are? As I try to place myself in the shoes of these women living in a completely different cultural context, I imagine what it would be like to deal with something considered so taboo. That’s when I come to the realization it still is so taboo everywhere. Despite HIV’s rising prominence across the world it’s still considered taboo and shameful. I recall watching a netflix documentary where HIV sufferers describe how shameful they would feel to even go get medication. So ashamed in fact that one person spoke on how their shame, denial and the social stigma surrounding HIV led him to progression into AIDS. That's when I also realized how much of a global health issue this was and how my friends shouldn’t feel so bad for the Indian community when we deal with plenty of it on our own homefront.
I am so excited to hear the stories from these women and also compare the collectivism among the female community and whether or not they would support each other if one was to be affected by HIV. It is so crucial to overcome these unspoken road blocks and open the gates of communication so that women can be helped and not harmed by their society or their own criticism.