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Let's End HIV Stigma

#LetsEndStigma

From Kansas to Kenya, Planned Parenthood is committed to ending HIV stigma. We provide access to prevention education, tools that reduce transmission, HIV testing, and links to care. And we use mobile technologies to educate underserved communities so that all people living with or affected by HIV can live long and happy lives, no matter where they live.

World AIDS Day is an opportunity to show solidarity with the millions of people living with HIV worldwide. This year, we’re launching #LetsEndStigma, an effort dedicated to addressing HIV stigma and putting youth-focused prevention and education at the center of the conversation. This effort is about reminding people that stigma and discrimination are among the foremost barriers to HIV prevention, treatment, and support.

One in three people diagnosed with HIV around the world are between 15 and 25 years old. Raising awareness and education among young people and combating stigma are critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of an AIDS-free generation by 2030. Beginning this month, we are lifting up the stories of people living with and affected by HIV. We hope to encourage young people to talk about HIV with their friends, families, and sexual partners.

In Uganda, Stigma Ends Where Community Begins

Joseph, a health worker in Uganda, writes about his aunt’s diagnosis with HIV and how his family and community came together to support her.

Read it here on Medium

Kelly’s Story: Planned Parenthood Saves Lives, They Saved Mine

Kelly’s Story: Planned Parenthood Saves Lives, They Saved Mine

Talking with your partner about HIV can be tough, but it’s important to know your status – testing is the first step. Let’s talk.

IMPACT OF HIV STIGMA

HIV-related stigma and discrimination refers to prejudice, negative attitudes, and abuse directed at people living with HIV/AIDS.

Stigma and discrimination can have damaging effects on health, and can increase already-existing barriers to care for people living with or affected by HIV.

The negative effects of stigma and discrimination can show up in:

  • The workplace - not getting hired or not applying for a job because of your HIV status, or being afraid to disclose your status to your coworkers

  • Travel - certain countries do not allow people living with HIV to enter

  • Housing - being denied housing or not feeling welcome in a neighborhood because of your HIV status

  • Relationships - domestic or intimate partner violence

  • Health care - denied access, being blamed for living with HIV

You can rely on Planned Parenthood for compassionate care, quality education, and accurate information. We are committed to serving communities around the world that are most at risk for the dual epidemics of HIV and HIV stigma. In the U.S. that includes Black and Latina women, trans women of color, young adults, and Black and Latino gay and bisexual men.

Learn more about HIV/AIDS here

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Reaching Young People Where They Are

For more than two decades, Planned Parenthood Global has been working with our partners in Africa and Latin America to train and support Youth Peer Providers (YPP). These trained YPPs reach adolescents and young people at school, in the office, on city streets and village paths, and even soccer fields. They not only share information on HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health, but also dispense products and services including condoms to help protect against transmission.

Reaching young people where they are also means meeting them in the digital space. Global Mobile uses mobile technology to connect young people around the world with health information and services, giving them the power to control their bodies and their lives. And in the U.S., young people can chat in real time with health professionals to receive answers to their questions about reproductive and sexual health, including HIV. Technology has created amazing opportunities for us to reach young people in different ways – no matter what, no matter where.

Planned Parenthood Global Advocacy and U.S. Foreign Policy Efforts

The U.S. is the leading bilateral global health donor in the world, including HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment and reproductive health. We must sustain this if we’re to see progress — and not declines — in the health of women, families, and young people worldwide. Learn more about our global advocacy efforts.

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Support our vital work abroad to end HIV stigma and build the healthiest generation ever.

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