The members of EFA’s youth associations across northern Cameroon encounter frequent discrimination and stigma due to their HIV+ status. However, members of one of the associations recently discovered that their relationship with EFA provided them with the leverage to stand up to acts of intolerance and disrespect.

In December, one of the members of the ABEPSA association found that a competitor to her morning breakfast business had defaced her stall by writing “AIDS. Don’t eat here.” The association member shared the pain of this experience with the other members of ABEPSA who subsequently decided to bring the matter to EFA’s regional staff. Together, EFA and ABEPSA wrote a formal letter of complaint to the local authorities.

A short few weeks later, the authorities had taken action against the perpetrator, sending a clear message that discrimination based on HIV status would not be tolerated in Maroua. This experience highlighted the value of ABEPSA’s affiliation with EFA and instilled a measure of confidence and pride in all members of the ABEPSA association.

Tags: ABEPSA, News from Cameroon, stigma