Don’t Be Negative About Being Positive

This campaign features a radio, television, and print - through newspapers and posters - mass media campaign consisting of testimonials by people living with HIV (PLWHA). The campaign was created in Zimbabwe over a three-month period and, according to the organisers, was developed in close collaboration with PLWHA who face stigma on a daily basis. By telling the stories of prominent and ordinary people who lead productive lives with HIV, the campaign intends to advocate for the acceptance of PLWHA, promote the importance of knowing one’s HIV status, and show that there is life after a positive HIV diagnosis. Using the stories of those who are willing to share their HIV status in public, PSI aims to contribute to ending prejudice and encouraging others to follow the example of those PLWHA who are collaborating in the message creation.

HIV/AIDS.

PSI communicates health messages through a variety of channels including mass media, peer education, school programmes, community theatre, mobile multi-media events, interpersonal communication, and special event sponsorship. According to PSI, the stigma that surrounds PLWHA prevents people from getting tested, seeking treatment, and admitting their HIV-positive status to others. Therefore, helping PLWHA living with HIV and AIDS get access to treatment, mutual support, and a platform to have their voices heard at local and national levels is particularly effective in tackling stigma. This campaign won a 2005 Global Media Award.