The collective Hiruki Larroxa wanted to stress that in these times of COVID-19 the systems of oppression do not treat all pandemics in the same way: “There’s nothing else to see that we’ve been fighting HIV for 40 years,” and no vaccine has yet been obtained. “Why will it be? Does it have anything to do with being completely stigmatized? We are clear about it”, denounced the STEILAS trade union, and underlined the existence of a vaccine against stigma: information. “As long as the vaccine does not come to control the virus, let’s fight the stigma pandemic. The vaccine is in your hand, don’t spread the stigma.”

The trade union has added that this stigmatization affects women more than men and women. “In addition to the consequences of the infection itself, in many cases sexual life is questioned until they believe they will not be able to have more sex. It is the responsibility of the whole of society to address the challenge of dismantling this stigma.”

Conditioned by COVID19

Since 1997, antiretrovirals have allowed control of the virus and AIDS is currently undetectable and incommunicable. However, the Anti-AIDS Commission and the Sexual Health Network of Navarra have pointed out that the coronavirus has made the situation of people with HIV more vulnerable, as well as that of other people with diseases, as the pandemic has conditioned primary care, consultations, diagnoses and/or prevention tools related to sexual health.

These organisations defend the need to strengthen the health system sanctioned by the cuts.

Basically, sex education.

As an education syndicate, STEILAS has also wanted to focus and has asked the administration and educational agents “a sexual education without prejudice based on diversity, to adapt to reality and to build healthy interpersonal relationships”.