Kenyan Woman Wins Landmark HIV ruling

A waitress in Kenya won a landmark case against her former employer and doctor last week on the grounds that she was wrongfully terminated and her medical records released without consent.

From the BBC:

“Mrs Ongur says she filed the case to focus attention on the rights of people living with HIV/Aids. She says she has endured hardship since she was sacked [fired] and has not been able to get another job. Her lawyer said the case had been very challenging as Kenya’s constitution does not expressly prohibit discrimination on grounds of HIV.”

As HIV/AIDS activist Inviolata Mbwavi puts it, “it’s a message to employers that people living with HIV and AIDS have got rights like any other person to work.”

The court’s decision is the first ruling of its kind in Kenya.

-Betsy Avila