Beauty contest against stigmatization Miss HIV-positive

"Miss HIV-positive" chosen: Robina wins beauty contest
Almost all over the world, HIV-positive people and people with AIDS are discriminated against. Also in African Uganda, where around 1.5 million HIV-positive people live. There they have come up with something very special to fight against the stigma of infection: a beauty contest.

Discrimination into the family
It is estimated that about 1.5 million people are living with HIV in East African Uganda. With the help of a beauty contest, the stigma associated with HIV infection is to be combated there. It is true that infected people can avoid the onset of an AIDS disease thanks to appropriate medication and lead a long life as normal as possible. But the social discrimination against HIV-positive persists - even into families. Robina Babirye, who has been HIV-positive since birth, has now brought her infection to great joy: The 22-year-old was crowned Uganda's beauty queen "Miss Y +" 2015 at the final of the beauty contest for HIV-positive women in the capital Kampala. Y + stands for "youth positive".

The beauty contest "Miss HIV positive" is intended to set a signal against discrimination. (Image: beermedia.de/fotolia.com)

"Right to a normal life "
"I want to use the victory to convince the young people and other groups that have to live with stigma and discrimination because of the disease, their chances to convince," said Babirye after the final on Friday evening of the German Press Agency. Among the men, Silas Lubangakere was declared a winner in the hotel's event room, which is packed with around 500 people. The 21-year-old fell to his knees with joy: "I'm just happy." Second-placed Daniel Owino (19) said: "I would like to take the opportunity to send out a message for HIV-positive people, including them To have a right to a normal life. "

"Ambassador in the fight against AIDS "
The contest for candidates aged 16-25 took place in Uganda for the second time this year. Originally the idea came from Botswana in the south of Africa. In this country, over a fifth of the population is HIV-positive. According to UNAIDS, about seven percent of the population aged 15 to 49 in Uganda lives with the HIV virus. According to the Department of Health, there were 137,000 new infections last year, about half of them in people under the age of 25. Jackie Alesi, director of the National Association of Young People with HIV / AIDS, who organizes the beauty contest, said: "The winners become ambassadors in the fight against AIDS Both the winners and the runners-up will receive training and a scholarship to participate as multipliers in health workshops across the country. "We give them the skills and the knowledge; they will then represent the message in all forums, including talk shows. "

Discrimination in Germany
In most countries of the world, HIV-positives face prejudice and discrimination, including in Europe. Only recently have German AIDS organizations once again called for an end to discrimination against HIV-infected individuals. In particular, they focused on health care and pointed out that HIV patients should not be disadvantaged in terms of access and care. Last year's World AIDS Day, several organizations launched an innovative campaign to help reduce prejudice and discrimination against HIV-positive people. Among other things, posters were used to ask whether one would kiss HIV-positive people. The answer was also given immediately: "Sure, if he is my type". (Ad)