This World AIDS Day, the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) signals the impact of HIV stigma on the lives of ALL people living with HIV and asks for bold steps for the use of the People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Stigma Index data to achieve the global effort to end AIDS and keep people alive. The PLHIV Stigma Index work has existed since 2008 and has completed studies in over 100 countries which are available on the dedicated Stigma Index website managed by GNP+.
The recently published People Living with HIV Stigma Index 2.0 Global Report: Hear Us Out: Measuring HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination, which summarizes studies from 25 National PLHIV Stigma Index reports, indicates that 13% of people living with HIV had experienced stigma and discrimination when seeking HIV-related care in the past 12 months, and 25% reported such experiences when seeking non-HIV- related care.
Furthermore, many respondents continue to experience internalized HIV-related stigma which affects their mental health and general well-being. 84.8% of respondents experienced internalized Stigma. 26.9% indicated this affected their treatment.
“An HIV diagnosis is a traumatic experience. Since 2008, using data from the PLHIV Stigma Index collected from over 100 countries, GNP+ has elevated our lived experiences of stigma from safe community spaces to global platforms to drive policy and program changes for an enabling environment for access to treatment and quality of life. 40 years into the HIV epidemic, stigma remains a harsh reality, deeply affecting treatment access, mental health, and well-being of many people living with HIV globally. Institutional stigma, especially in healthcare settings and socially in the community, persists. 84.8% of people living with HIV reported experiencing internal stigma in the 2023 Global PLHIV Stigma Index. We can end AIDS. When we address HIV-related Stigma!” says GNP+, Co-Executive Director, Florence Riako Anam.
The 2024 UNAIDS Global AIDS Update notes that “Across 42 countries, a median of 47% of people reported discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV – a level that is nearly five times higher than the 2025 global target.”
The report further alludes that “Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, particularly in healthcare settings, discourage people from seeking HIV prevention services, testing for HIV, and starting and staying on HIV treatment.”
People Living with HIV from key populations and vulnerable populations like women, adolescent girls, and people with co-morbidities face compounded stigma and discrimination that continues to impact access to testing, treatment, adherence, and retention to care.
According to the recently published Lancet article titled: Ending AIDS as a public health threat: the imperative for clear messaging on U=U, viral suppression, and zero risk – the authors stressed that “to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, we must leverage both the impactful message of U=U (undetectable = untransmittable) and viral suppression to improve the wellbeing of individuals living with HIV, increase engagement with HIV services, and reduce barriers such as stigma, discrimination, and criminalisation.”
Without addressing stigma and discrimination, we won’t reach the Global HIV targets – no progress on HIV-related stigma and discrimination. We will see an additional 440, 000+ AIDS-related deaths between 2020 and 2030, and that’s 440, 000+ avoidable deaths if we address the stigma.
The Global AIDS Strategy and HLM 2021 Political declaration sets out clear social enabler targets to complement the ambition to end AIDS and underscores the importance of addressing Stigma to end inequalities and barriers to HIV treatment and prevention services. However, in many countries, HIV-related stigma and discrimination; gender inequalities; and the criminalization of drug use, sex work and same-sex sexual relationships continue to hamper access to these services.
The Global AIDS Strategy requires that countries undertake reforms, so that by 2025:
- less than 10% of countries have legal and policy frameworks that lead to the denial or limitation of access to HIV-related services;
- less than 10% of people living with HIV and key populations experience stigma and discrimination; and
- less than 10% of women, girls, people living with HIV and key populations experience gender inequality and violence.
World AIDS Day provides a platform to highlight gaps that need to be addressed, challenge misconceptions, and acknowledge that people living with HIV face barriers that are not only structural but also deeply rooted in stigma and discrimination, which limits access to health services that may have adverse effects on the quality of people living with HIV. To reach our targets and take the RIGHT PATH to end AIDS – we need to increase awareness about stigma, person-centered care, and differentiated service models that promote quality care and a future where everyone thrives.
This World AIDS Day, we call on people everywhere to commit to “ending stigma to end AIDS: for our health and rights”. By removing this critical barrier, we make significant strides toward an AIDS-free generation and a world where everyone can live openly, healthily, and with dignity.
Why Stigma Remains the Biggest Barrier to Ending AIDS
- Stigma Blocks Access to Care: Stigma deters people from getting tested or seeking treatment, fearing judgment and discrimination. When people avoid care, the risk of undiagnosed cases rises, preventing effective treatment and control.
- Stigma Impact Mental Health: Internal stigma, where individuals feel shame or unworthiness due to their HIV status, erodes mental well-being and can hinder treatment adherence. A stigma-free environment helps people with HIV lead healthier lives, reducing AIDS-related mortality.
- Stigma Isolate and Exclude: People living with HIV often face isolation, especially in community settings where stigma is prevalent. Ending stigma fosters inclusivity, allowing people to participate fully in society without fear of exclusion or prejudice.
- Stigma threatens global HIV/AIDS targets: The 10–10–10 and the 30–80–60 targets set for 2025 are not within reach. Stigma, discrimination, social inequalities and gender-based violence make it hard for people to stay free of HIV and protect their health.
This #WorldAIDSDay, Take Action to End Stigma!
On this World AIDS Day, we call to everyone individuals, community leaders, healthcare providers, and policymakers – to take active steps in ending stigma:
- Educate: Challenge myths and misconceptions about HIV and share accurate, compassionate information about the realities of people living with HIV.
- Advocate: Support policies and laws reform that protect people living with HIV from discrimination in healthcare, community, education, workplaces, justice and emergency settings.
- Engage: Ensure meaningful and engagement of key stakeholders in developing strategies and programs that address and raise awareness on the impact of stigma on individuals and communities living with HIV.
Join the conversation using these hashtags: #EndStigmaEndAIDS #ForOurHealthandRights #WorldAIDSDay2024
Share our message using our social media toolkit: GNP+ World AIDS Day Social Media Kit
