Taking Action Against HIV Stigma and Discrimination

Abstract

Taking action against HIV related stigma and discrimination is essential for achieving Millennium Development Goal 6 “To halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV and AIDS”. Acts of discrimination deny people's rights to information, to services to protect them against HIV infection, and to receive appropriate treatment, care and support when HIV-positive. Fear of stigmatisation and discrimination discourages people from seeking information on HIV and AIDS, coming forward for counselling and testing, disclosing their status or accessing AIDS services. We will not achieve Universal Access without reducing stigma and discrimination. There is an urgent need to accelerate efforts and we have the tools to do so. DFID has supported a range of interventions aimed at tackling HIV stigma and discrimination. Our work and that of others has contributed to a better understanding of stigma and discrimination and how to reduce it. In this document we have sought to describe best practice and distil the key lessons. It provides a useful tool for DFID staff and others working on HIV and AIDS to incorporate a strong focus on tackling stigma and discrimination in their work