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ICRW 2007 Annual Report

Understanding and Challenging HIV Stigma: Toolkit for Action
(Revised Edition pdf)

(1) Introduction
     and Module A

(2) Modules B
     and C

(3) Modules D
     and E

(4) Modules F
     and G

(5) Module H

(6) Module I

(7) Module J

(8) Moving to
     Action

(9) Picture
     Booklet

 

The revised edition (August 2007) builds on the original toolkit and includes new modules to address stigma as it relates to treatment, children and youth, and men who have sex with men. 

The toolkit is used by community and NGO's throughout the developing world to facilitate discussion about the rights of positive persons and issues of gender, sexuality and morality.

The toolkit was published with the Academy for Educational Development and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance.

Related links:
Why Is Stigma Important?

ICRW Stigma publications

Double Stigma of HIV and TB Cripples Care, Prevention Efforts

Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common of HIV's opportunistic infections, and in many high HIV prevalence settings, this has led people to assume that TB patients also are HIV-positive.

ICRW Stigma Expert, Laura NybladeAnalysis by ICRW stigma expert Laura Nyblade and ICRW partner Virginia Bond shows that patients who exhibit visible TB symptoms often face stigmatizing behavior similar to that faced by people with HIV, such as being ostracized, publicly humiliated and shunned by family and friends.

This double stigma of TB and HIV undermines the efforts of health practitioners trying to fight both diseases. People with TB are more reluctant to seek diagnosis or medical treatment because they fear the stigma and shame, which fuels the spread of TB.

A summary of the research analysis can be found in "The Importance of Addressing the Unfolding TB-HIV Stigma in High HIV Prevalence Settings" published in the Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, Vol. 16.

Learn more about ICRW's work on stigma.

 

EXPLORE OUR WORK

Adolescence | HIV and AIDS | Food Security & Nutrition | Economic Development | Reproductive Health | Violence Against Women | Women's Right

 

HIV AND AIDS

Research | Insight | Action & Advocacy | Projects

The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to take a brutal toll on women and girls, whose low status due to gender inequality remains a principal driver of the epidemic. Women's vulnerabilities — including gendered power differentials and biological vulnerabilities — are great obstacles to accessing HIV/AIDS prevention information, treatment and care.

Our research is helping to turn the tide against AIDS.

Research

ICRW was one of the first organizations to focus on the rapid spread of HIV and AIDS among women in developing countries. Our first research program on women and AIDS in the early 1990s examined the social, economic and gender factors fueling the spread of HIV and AIDS among women in 15 countries.

Today we continue to push the AIDS agenda forward, leading the way with research on HIV- and AIDS-related stigma and collaborating with partners to ensure safe and representative HIV vaccine trials.

Researchers also are exploring how property and inheritance rights for women may be a protective factor against the consequences of HIV, helping women and families cope when a family member is positive. Another program is exploring the relationship between nutrition, food security and HIV and AIDS, showing how the different sectors can work collaboratively to be more effective. ICRW and our partners also recently developed a toolkit for community-based organizations to tackle issues around gender-based violence and HIV stigma.

Insight

We now know the different ways in which gendered imbalances of power and resources between women and men increase women's risk and vulnerability to HIV. ICRW is working with in-country partners worldwide to devise tools and strategies to integrate gender into programs that fight HIV and AIDS.

ICRW has crafted original community-based tools to help reduce HIV- and AIDS-related stigma. By increasing community understanding of HIV and AIDS, myths are put to rest, people become less fearful, and women and girls are empowered to make independent decisions about their health.

Other ICRW projects work with large organizations, such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Care International, U.K.'s Department for International Development (DFID) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to integrate gender into their global prevention, treatment and care programs.

Action & Advocacy

In recent years, awareness among policy-makers and the public of the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on women and girls has risen dramatically. ICRW is working with coalitions and various U.S. government offices to ensure that funding for HIV and AIDS goes to programs that find gender-equitable solutions for prevention and treatment.

Our advocacy team ensures that the voices of women are heard on Capitol Hill.  We are currently advocating for several bills that would empower and protect women and girls.  Learn more on our advocacy page.

Related Projects

 

Photo Credit:
73910762 Ludovic Maisant/ courtesy of Getty Images