Religious leaders committed to fighting stigma

Religious leaders in Mangochi have reaffirmed their commitment to fighting HIV and Aids-related stigma and discrimination in churches and mosques.

Speaking during a session on addressing HIV and Aids related stigma and discrimination against young people living with HIV and Aids on Wednesday in the districts, apostle Henry Nkhomanya said stigma kills and makes people suffer unnecessarily.

Nkhomanya said the religious leaders need to be united to fight the pandemic.

“In many circumstances, some religious leaders have inadvertently or sometimes intentionally caused stigma and discrimination through the uncritical quotation of Holy texts and scripture in ways that have been associated with HIV and Aids.

“The result is often perceptions of sinfulness and blame for illness that is seen as a punishment for wrong doing as in John 9 verse 1 to 11 and Deuteronomy 28 verse 15,” he added.

Nkhomanya said religious leaders in the district need to commit to the interfaith communiqué signed by sheikhs and pastors to develop and implement congregational based activities aimed at reducing stigma and discrimination against young people living with HIV.

“We all agree that HIV and Aids is not a curse or punishment from God but a disease that can affect anyone. We are, therefore, committed to participating in the effective prevention of further spread of HIV and to mitigate the impact of HIV and Aids, to respond with love and compassion and care to all persons infected and affected by HIV and Aids among others,” he said.

The dialogue was conducted with support from the Malawi Interfaith Aids Association. n