The RED badges of courage
One of my most disturbing essays focuses on stigma amongst children affected by HIV/AIDS. Catastrophically the pandemic has grown exponentially, fuelled by ignorance, poverty and promiscuity. In Tanzania AIDS orphans in many primary schools are mandated to wear red badges emblazed like a military epaulette on their school uniform denoting their HIV/AIDS positive status, all déjà -vu of Hitler forcing the Jews to wear the yellow star of David. This horrendous infringement of human rights is a blight on society. Human dignity was ignored then as it is today and the world stands by silently. Stigma will continue to plague these innocent citizens until the national government, working with local associations implements a massive programme to educate their constituents about AIDS. My key goal for this essay has been to create a lobbying platform to bring change of this practice so that children no longer suffer this humiliating experience.
