Tribunal in Kenya rules in favor of victims of HIV stigma

The HIV and Aids Tribunal (HAT) in Kenya, responsible for hearing HIV discrimination cases and illegal disclosure cases, has awarded millions of shillings to HIV-positive individuals. Since 2012 there have been 348 cases claiming unlawful treatment of people living with HIV.  In one case, the court ruled in favor of a woman whose husband, after learning of her HIV status 12 years into the marriage, began to regularly leave home and refuse to sit for meals with her. She was awarded 150,00sh as a result of the discrimination along with unlawful disclosure of her disease to a third party.   

The Tribunal also ruled against a hospital for revealing the HIV-positive status of a patient to her insurance company.   The Tribunal stated "Just like discrimination, breach of confidentiality through unlawful disclosure created stigma, which had a negative impact on the fight against HIV and AIDS."

Although the country has made efforts in slowing the growth of HIV, with a 15% decrease in new cases in the last five years, there is still significant stigma and discriminatory laws affecting individuals living with HIV in Kenya.