Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Miami Herald - November 29, 2003
Verbatim
The global HIV/AIDS epidemic killed more than three million people in 2003, and an estimated five million acquired the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) bringing to 40 million the number of people living with the virus around the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV prevalence has remained relatively steady -- generally at high levels -- for several years across much of the region. This is due to the fact that high levels of new HIV infections are persisting and are now matched by high levels of AIDS mortality.
Still rampant
In a belt of countries across Southern Africa, HIV prevalence is maintaining alarmingly high levels in the general population. In other sub-Saharan African countries, the epidemic has gained a firm foothold and shows little sign of weakening -- excepting some positive indications from mostly urban areas in a few countries in eastern Africa. The trend offers no comfort.
The epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa remains rampant. How long it will stay like this will depend on the vigor, scale and effectiveness of prevention, treatment and care programs. Urgent and dramatic headway is required on all these fronts, and in unison. Anything less will spell failure.
. . . What fuels stigma and discrimination? Stigma devalues and discredits people, generating shame and insecurity. In the context of AIDS, it can fuel the urge to scapegoat, blame and punish certain people (or groups) in order to detract from the fact that everyone is at risk. Stigma taps into existing prejudices and patterns of exclusion and further marginalizes people who might already be more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. It stems from the association of HIV/AIDS with sex, disease and death, and with behaviors that may be illegal, forbidden or taboo, such as pre- and extramarital sex, sex work, sex between men and injecting-drug use.
Remove stigma
Stigma is harmful, both in itself (since it can lead to feelings of shame, guilt and isolation of people living with HIV) and because it prompts people to act in ways that directly harm others and deny them services or entitlements -- actions that take the form of HIV-related discrimination. Such unjust treatment can be tantamount to a violation of human rights. . . .
Greater access to effective care, prevention and treatment is vital to breaking the cycle of stigma, discrimination and human rights abuses.
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