Pita Merah is a community  born and motivated by the fact that the community of People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) feel more comfortable when the they are not tied to one institution. Then they formed an agreement to bind themselves to a community called Pita Merah. Members of this community consist of PLHIV, People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), Warga Peduli AIDS (WPA) and the general public. The word Pita Merah is a combination of the words Care, Inclusivity, Solidarity and Hope.

Starting with a brainstorming on HIV issues carried out by PLHIV and PLWHA friends on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at RM Toean Watiman Jl. Taman Siswa No.152, Wirogunan, Mergangsan District, Yogyakarta City. The meeting discussed the current conditions related to HIV and AIDS in Yogyakarta. The conclusion is that information about HIV and AIDS in the Yogyakarta City area is still poorly understood by the community and health workers, so there is still a lot of stigma and discrimination experienced by PLWHA.

There was also an understanding that there is still a lot of gender-based violence and discrimination against disabilities.

The discussion also talked about the community’s belief that herbal medicine can cure HIV. This myth is not correct, because herbal medicine is actually only to increase endurance.

The Red Ribbon Group is committed to realizing the three zero target by 2030, namely no more new HIV infections, no more deaths caused by AIDS and no more discrimination against PLWHA. PLHIV and OHIDHA have dreams and hopes, so that HIV and AIDS stigma and discrimination are fully educated in life in the community, as well as maximizing government support for better health services, so that there is no Lost To Follow Up rate in Yogyakarta City.

In the meeting held on March 19, 2021 at Ingkung Grobog, the principle aspects were formulated, namely vision: Towards a community that is empowered and socially accepted by the community in HIV and AIDS issues. While the mission: (1) To conduct HIV and AIDS education to the community on a regular basis to reduce stigma and discrimination; (2) To empower and assist PLWHA holistically; (3) To expand the network with relevant stakeholders.

The meeting also established the organizational structure and job descriptions of each section. There is a lot of potential in this group, including human resources and networks that can be cooperated in HIV and AIDS prevention and response issues.

Many of the human resources have skills obtained from training provided by UPKM / CD Bethesda YAKKUM. The training includes herbal medicine, acupressure massage, breathing exercises and self-acceptance training for PLWHA which can be used to assist PLWHA in reducing side effects of ARV treatment and increasing awareness of ARV adherence.

The Red Ribbon community is also actively involved in HIV programs implemented by UPKM / CD Bethesda YAKKUM such as in routine PLHIV meetings, PLHIV meetings and HIV and AIDS counseling and education services for HIV positive housewives and entrepreneurs as well as several trainings.

Roni, one of the members of the Pita Merah group after being given self-acceptance training for PLWHA was able to provide counseling for PLWHA in accepting HIV status.   In addition, Roni was also a resource person in HIV and AIDS education at the Wirobrajan Javanese Christian Church on November 11, 2021. Roni’s steps were also followed by other Pita Merah members such as: Pram, Lisa, Tami, Ebith, Eva and Alfo to be active in HIV and AIDS prevention and response in Yogyakarta. They participate as resource persons and share their experiences in every HIV and AIDS education in the community. In addition, Eva Dewa, as the coordinator of Pita Merah, has also become a facilitator in capacity building for AIDS Care Citizens (WPA) in Bener and Suryodiningratan villages in Yogyakarta.

The joint commitment of the Pita Merah community has a good impact on PLHIV and OHIDHA as well as the surrounding community. Through sharing in community activities, it has changed the stigma against PLWHA in the community.

Generally, people stigmatize because of the lack of direct information about HIV and AIDS. In addition, for other PLHIV, the Pita Merah community can provide encouragement for them, share together and establish social and economic relations.

The emergence of action steps taken by the Pita Merah community fosters cooperation with the network. One of the collaborations is the formation of the collaboration of WPA Kelurahan activities with Pita Merah to conduct HIV and AIDS education in the community. It is hoped that good collaboration will reduce stigma and discrimination in the community.

Pita Merah has been able to network with institutions concerned with HIV and AIDS, including: IPPI, PKBI, Zero TB, WPA, and others. With the strength of this network, the Pita Merah community is increasingly confident to continue to mainstream anti-stigma and discrimination against PLWHA and always carry out to strengthen empowered and healthy PLWHA.* (Fajar Jalu Lintang).