Scaling Up the Response to HIV Stigma and Discrimination

HIV stigma and discrimination adversely affect every aspect of life for people living with HIV and their families. In many settings, an HIV diagnosis still can be as devastating as the illness itself, leading to job loss, school expulsion, violence, social ostracism, loss of property, and denial of health services and emotional support. People living in fear are less likely to adopt preventive behavior, come in for testing, disclose their sero-status to others, access care and adhere to treatment.

At present, the building blocks are in place for scaling up the response to stigma and discrimination. Promising tools and approaches are available. Practitioners know how to inspire change in communities, health care settings and workplaces. There is a core agenda for legal reform to establish better protections for people living with HIV, guarantee their human rights and banish laws that discriminate against people living with HIV.

This brief lays out the rationale for intensified action, and what can—and must—be done to reduce HIV stigma and discrimination worldwide.