Around the world, HIV/AIDS-related stigma is expressed through social exclusion, personal rejection, direct and indirect discrimination and harassment, and laws that deprive PLWHA of their rights. This may include denial of personal dignity and services or rights, such as employment, housing, insurance, education, health care and travel. The association of HIV/AIDS with sex, disease, death and behaviours considered deviant or taboo – such as extra-marital sex, homosexuality and injecting drug use – contributes to the stigmatisation of PLWHA. Stigma is further fuelled by the myths and misconceptions around HIV transmission.

Certain marginalized groups, such as sex workers, injecting drug users and homosexuals are even more vulnerable to discrimination due to their high-risk behaviour, and are often driven underground, further away from accessing information, health care, counselling and/or treatment.

Fighting stigma and discrimination on a global scale

Successfully fighting stigma and discrimination is inseparably linked to improving access to prevention, care, support and treatment. International organisations such as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies can play a key role in creating an enabling environment, actively involving PLWHA, governments, community-based organisations and groups of concerned citizens in the development and implementation of their policies, programmes and advocacy efforts. International organisations can also play a crucial role in providing financial and human resources in support of this effort.

As the largest humanitarian organisation in the world – representing 181 national societies and close to 100 million volunteers worldwide – the  Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) movement reaches communities where other organisations cannot. RCRC's principles and values clearly indicate an obligation to act, speak out, and fight stigma and discrimination wherever it occurs.

In 2001, the RCRC International Conference recommended a scaling up of all HIV/AIDS actions and launched a global campaign to fight HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination. The campaign, called ‘The Truth about AIDS. Pass It On…' was introduced on 8 May 2002, World Red Cross Red Crescent Day, as an integral part of the Federation's Global HIV/AIDS Programme.

In the same year, the Federation started a partnership with the Global Network of PLWHA (GNP+), as no one better understands what is needed in the fight against stigma and discrimination than PLWHA and their families. This cooperation, which has been documented as a UNAIDS Best Practice, is vital for ensuring the most effective programmes and the best use of resources.

To further ensure impact, the International Federation liases with other key partners, such as UNAIDS, Health and Development Networks and Saatchi & Saatchi in implementing the campaign, and has forged an alliance with six global youth organisations to call attention to the plight of young people affected by HIV/AIDS.

Over the past two years, the campaign has been successful in bringing stigma and discrimination onto the global agenda. Within the RCRC, it has encouraged a scale up of HIV/AIDS programmes, and has worked to reduce the effects of stigma and discrimination on the communities served by the RCRC.

Due to the complexity of the movement, getting participation, ownership and commitment from all parties is not always guaranteed and having anti-stigma activities integrated wholly into existing HIV/AIDS programmes rather than only implemented on key dates, remains a challenge.

Plans for the future: replicability and sustainability

At the 28^th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in December 2003, members of the conference, including representatives of states party to the Geneva Conventions and the components of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, pledged to continue actions to reduce stigma and discrimination. Backed by this pledge, the International Federation and its partners remain committed to advocating for the inclusion of PLWHA and to passing on the truth that would challenge causes and results of stigma.