Lydia Jacenta Nakiganda

“Human rights is what reason requires and conscience demands. We need to use human rights if we want to reduce the prevalence of HIV/AIDS,” says Lydia Jacenta Nakiganda.

Lydia explains: “I fight for the rights of People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). That fight involves combating stigma and discrimination. When an open and supportive environment exists, PLWHA will be able to access treatment, care and support. They will be more likely to seek testing to know their status, thereby enabling them to take measure to preven transmission to others.”

Lydia credits HRAP with helping her to develop a deeper understanding of human rights: “HRAP has changed my understanding of human rights and provided a platform for me to think and to strengthen my commitment to human rights.” She says, “HRAP has taught me to inform people in the simplest terms possible” via campaigns, op-eds and other advocacy tools.

Reflecting upon her HRAP experience, she concludes, “I now feel more responsible than I was before…to work more actively with a better focus and strategy.”

By 2008 Advocate Peter Mulbah of Liberia