Livelihood Options and Social Stigma of PLWHA in Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Maharashtra

Abstract

PLWHAs need support systems, which provide opportunities for livelihoods in view of their decreased physical strength, community attitudes, family non-support and inadequate health infrastructure. A livelihood framework pursues multiple approaches and goals and hence one should adopt a multi-dimensional approach. The proposed framework must have the capability to address the complexity of the situation and at the same time it should be feasible under local conditions. The livelihood framework described here is a three dimensional intervention strategy, rather simple and straight forward, namely developing human capital, creating access to physical capital and wider social acceptance of those affected with HIV. Many other components having a bearing on the livelihood function could be brought under these three heads. For example financial and social capital could be considered as a part of the physical capital and social acceptance respectively. Since, nearly 60 percent of those affected with HIV/AIDS probably live in the villages, it has serious adverse implications on the rural economy. Poverty, migration and limited access to health care are among the major factors render rural India more susceptible to the spread of this virus. The most vulnerable people in the rural area are the migrant workers. Migration often becomes inevitable as many rural households compelled to depend upon off-farm sources of income in nearby areas particularly during the lean agricultural seasons. Such migratory phenomenon opens up channel of flow of the infectious diseases. Providing appropriate livelihood opportunities in the rural areas for those affected with HIV/AIDS is one of the major challenges faced today. The present paper is an outcome of a study conducted in three states namely Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Maharashtra. It brings the type discrimination PLWHAs and people supporting livelihood initiatives taken by the selected NGOs in the study region.