Academy for Educational Development

Combating HIV/AIDS Stigma in Africa

A toolkit produced by the AED CHANGE project and the International Center for Research on Women gives community groups, educators and nongovernmental organizations in Africa ways to address HIV/AIDS-related stigma.

"Understanding and Challenging HIV Stigma: A Toolkit for Action," funded by the United States Agency for International Development includes role-play exercises and hands-on activities.

The toolkit was created based on research that examined the experience of stigma among "stigmatizers" as well as those who are "stigmatized" in three African countries. The research found that people are frequently unaware of their stigmatizing actions and that knowledge and fear interact with cultural attitudes about sex and morality to fuel discrimination, isolation and despair, which can be as devastating as HIV/AIDS itself.

The toolkit can be tailored to sensitize specific audiences to stigma's harmful effects and empower them to challenge stigma in their communities.

For more information, contact Anton Schneider in the AED CHANGE Project.