HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act 2017
Topic: Safeguards for Vulnerable Sections: SCs, STs, OBCs, Minorities, Women and Children · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act 2017 is a law that protects people living with HIV. It bans discrimination against them in jobs, education, health care, housing and insurance. Testing for HIV needs the person's informed consent, which means they agree after being told what the test is for. An ombudsman, an official who hears complaints, deals with violations. The law treats HIV as a matter of rights and dignity, not shame.
Example
Suppose a private school refuses to admit a child because a parent is HIV-positive. Or an employer fires a worker after finding out the worker's HIV status. Both acts are banned under the 2017 Act, and the person affected can complain to the ombudsman.
Don't confuse with
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016: this law covers 21 listed disabilities and gives reservation to people with benchmark disabilities. The HIV Act gives no reservation. It focuses on non-discrimination, consent and privacy for people living with HIV.
Related concepts
- UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016
- Benchmark disability
- Accessible India Campaign
- Rajive Raturi case
- Mental Healthcare Act 2017
- NALSA case
- Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019
- National Council for Transgender Persons
- Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007