STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION: HINDERING EFFECTIVE HIV RESPONSES NGO 2010 Report

2010 Report based on a Civil Society Consultation Online survey in ten languages  1500 respondents started survey and 1021 completed it 57 key informants interviewed by Delegates and Communications Facility 8 focus groups conducted by NGO Delegates and Communications Facility

Consultation respondents Gender: 60% male, 36% female; 4% transgender 65% identified as being or serving PLHIV

Key Findings: Impacts of Stigma & Discrimination on Access

Key Findings: Reasons for Not Accessing

Key Findings: Lack of confidentiality; lack of care Respondents who were afraid to, or denied, access cited lack of confidentiality as the top reason Half of these respondents cited health care workers as unhelpful or even refusing to treat We need comprehensive training within health and community care systems, with specific attention to working with key populations

“Unfortunately, although the healthcare workers have information, they do still have prejudice and are judgemental with regard to us, as..... HIV positive patients.”

Key Findings: Negative associations More than half of respondents who were afraid to, or denied, access said it was because they associate with a group that is discriminated against We need to be able to recognize, collect data, involve and support key populations, especially the most marginalized We need to be able to more effectively measure stigma

Key Findings: Criminalization Perpetuates stigma and discrimination which further marginalizes populations affected by HIV and AIDS Undermines the public health and evidence-based response to HIV and AIDS Incompatible with a public health approach We need to remove punitive laws and practices that inhibit the response to HIV and to reaching the MDGs

What exists to help? Majority aware of protective laws but responded that laws not enforced or followed UNAIDS work on stigma and/or discrimination:  Two-thirds knew of UNAIDS work on this  Half found UNAIDS to be somewhat effective, effective or very effective on this work We need to implement and expand a comprehensive package of programs to reduce stigma and discrimination We need tools to measure progress in tackling stigma

Global Priorities Identified by Respondents 1. Raising awareness and knowledge about HIV 2. Changing harmful policies and laws 3. Funding civil society organizations as a key tool to fight stigma and discrimination

Maintaining previous commitments to protect quality of life Universal Access enshrines this commitment on paper but we have fallen short on action 2011 : review and renew our commitment Focus on tackling stigma and ending discriminatory practices

Zero discrimination. Zero new HIV infections. Zero AIDS-related deaths. Thank you!