In a significant stride towards eradicating HIV-related stigma and discrimination, the Global Partnership for Action to Eliminate All Forms of HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination, co-convened by the NGO Delegation, has unveiled a new tool designed to empower communities in the monitoring and evaluation of stigma reduction efforts.
Since its establishment in 2018, the Global Partnership has gathered momentum, boasting the participation of 35 countries committed to collaborative actions. These include engaging civil society organizations, conducting thorough assessments of current stigma and discrimination landscapes, eliminating stigma in critical sectors within the next five years, and allocating resources to bolster implementation. Central to their commitment is regularly monitoring and reporting progress using recommended indicators, providing a tangible framework for success.
The initiative provides step-by-step guidance to governments, aiming to make a substantial impact on the global campaign against HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Recognizing the importance of technical support, the Global Partnership leverages existing evidence and assessments to inform effective programs, ensuring a tailored and impactful approach for each member country.
Emphasizing the focus on monitoring and evaluation, the initiative aligns with the people-centered global targets (10-10-10s) for 2025, established during the UN High-level Meeting on HIV and AIDS in 2021. Programs dedicated to eliminating HIV-related stigma and discrimination are pivotal in achieving these societal enabler targets. Data collected through these efforts can significantly contribute to national and global reporting, supporting initiatives by organizations like the Global Fund and national authorities as part of the Global AIDS Monitoring process.
In addition to these overarching efforts, the Global Partnership has crafted a comprehensive suite of guidance documents and tools. These resources are designed to assist countries in identifying, planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating evidence-based programs targeted at combating HIV-related stigma and discrimination across diverse settings. The intention is to empower advocates, program planners, and stakeholders in collectively pursuing progress within the response.
The new monitoring and evaluation guide, tailored for diverse practitioners, including community-led organizations, international bodies, policymakers, healthcare professionals, educators, and employers, offers valuable insights into understanding the manifestations of HIV-related stigma and discrimination in specific contexts. It serves as a roadmap for planning interventions and monitoring progress in collaboration with key stakeholders, ensuring a practical, comprehensive approach to address these challenges.
