Tackling HIV Related Stigma and Discrimination in South Asia

Research suggests that involving marginalized populations, including sex workers, injection drug users, men who have sex with men and transgender communities, in the HIV response is the best hope for achieving the community action and social change necessary to stem the epidemic. In 2008, the World Bank’s South Asia Region Development Marketplace launched a small grants program to fund stigma-reduction activities implemented by organizations led by and for marginalized groups. ICRW provided technical support to grantees in program design, monitoring and evaluation.

This report describes key findings and lessons learned from the program, which included 26 grantees from six countries in South Asia. Also included are six case studies, which offer a more in-depth look at the lessons and challenges of intervening against stigma and discrimination.