Charting a Path to Eliminate HIV and TB Stigma in South Africa
- Karabo Makgato
In a move to eliminate HIV and TB-related stigma and discrimination, stakeholders from across South Africa convened for a two-day workshop on 25–26 June at Garden Court OR Tambo, Johannesburg. The workshop aimed to assess the current landscape of stigma and discrimination and to lay the foundation for a national framework that supports evidence-based, community-led, and rights-based interventions.
Hosted by the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and supported by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNAIDS, government, and civil society, the workshop forms part of South Africa’s broader commitment to the Global Partnership for Action to Eliminate All Forms of HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination. It also aligns directly with the country’s National Strategic Plan (NSP) for HIV, TB, and STIs 2023–2028, which identifies stigma reduction as a key objective under Goal 1, which speaks to Breaking Down Barriers.
South Africa carries a dual burden of HIV and TB, with an estimated 7.9 million people living with HIV and one of the highest TB incidences globally. The workshop brought together a broad range of stakeholders including civil society, government departments, healthcare providers, development partners, and communities affected by HIV and TB. Participants reflected on the country’s progress towards Objective 1.3 of the NSP and the global 10-10-10 targets set by UNAIDS, which call for fewer than 10% of people living with HIV and key populations to experience stigma, discrimination, and gender-based violence. The discussions acknowledged that while various interventions are in place, many efforts remain fragmented, particularly in addressing TB-related stigma and in ensuring civil society is adequately represented and coordinated in national responses.
The workshop also introduced the Global Partnership’s three-step guide to stigma elimination, which focuses on assessing stigma, implementing targeted interventions, and monitoring progress across six priority settings: healthcare, education, workplace, justice, community, and emergency settings. South Africa has initially committed to focusing on healthcare, justice, and community sectors, with plans to revisit and expand its scope to align with the NSP and ensure inclusion of all key and priority populations. SANAC, through its Human Rights Technical Task Team (HRTTT), is leading efforts to formalise and operationalise this commitment, with annual monitoring and reporting led by the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, who also serves as co-chair of the HRTTT.
A key highlight of Day One was the panel discussion titled “Stigma-Free South Africa by 2030”, which featured representatives from UNAIDS, civil society, and community voices who shared lived experiences and called for inclusive systems that uphold dignity and access to services. Presentations reviewed current data sources including SABSSM VI, the Stigma Index 2.0, and Global Fund reports, identifying gaps in community-led monitoring and data consolidation. Breakaway sessions further explored how stigma manifests in specific settings, its root causes, and key interventions and partnerships required to drive progress.
Following recent deliberations at the Global Partnership meeting in Bangkok, South Africa reaffirmed its intention to strengthen stigma reduction reporting and coordination. A joint recommendation, co-sponsored by SANAC, the National Department of Health, CDC, PEPFAR, UNAIDS, and the PLHIV Sector called for SANAC to coordinate a national stigma elimination process. As part of this commitment, a core working group will be expanded to include new stakeholders such as the Departments of Basic Education and Social Development, the Human Rights Commission, and the International Labour Organization. The next steps that came out from the workshop include developing a consolidated stigma data collection tool aligned with the NSP and Human Rights Plan for Key and Priority Populations and crafting a comprehensive National Action Plan for stigma elimination.
As the country moves forward, SANAC’s leadership will be central to building a more cohesive, multi-sectoral, and human rights-based response. The collective goal remains clear: to create a South Africa where stigma and discrimination are no longer barriers to health, justice, and dignity and where all individuals, regardless of their HIV or TB status, are empowered to thrive.