Every pain yields a lesson, and every lesson transforms a person

Parisa's life was forever altered by HIV 25 years ago. The virus struck her family, snatching her husband's job and halting her child's education. Tragically, her husband passed away two years later, leaving Parisa to navigate the daunting landscape of loss and discrimination.

Undeterred by adversity, Parisa embarked on a relentless mission for human rights, determined to combat the pervasive stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV. Initially, she immersed herself in seminars and conferences, volunteering tirelessly at counselling centres, where she shared her own experiences to chip away at the stigma and discrimination.

Her unwavering dedication caught the attention of Dr Minoo Mohraz, the former director of the Iranian Research Centre for HIV/AIDS (IRCHA), who offered her a pivotal role in a Positive Club—a sanctuary for those grappling with similar challenges. Thus began Parisa's transformative journey, marked by a series of initiatives aimed at raising awareness, eradicating stigma and discrimination, and supporting her peers.
 

WHAT IS THE POSITIVE CLUB INITIATIVE? The Positive Club is a meeting place for people living with HIV, who run the club themselves, with supervision from Parisa and colleagues. At the club, people receive training in arts, and sports, and as peer educators.  The Positive Club initiative was one of the successful programmes aimed at promoting positive health, dignity, and HIV prevention; it has been running for over 12 years with support from UNAIDS in collaboration with national partners and civil society organizations. Through this initiative, over 10,000 people living with HIV have been supported across 25 Positive Clubs, empowering them through training classes, workshops on HIV prevention, care and treatment, counselling sessions, and psychosocial support.

Over the years, Parisa's efforts have been nothing short of extraordinary. From managing a Positive Club in Tehran to representing people living with HIV in various influential platforms, including Iran's Country Coordinating Mechanism, its Oversight Committee, and Global Fund, she has been a relentless advocate for change. 

Her initiatives have spanned diverse arenas, from radio shows and collaborations with filmmakers to training workshops for religious leaders and healthcare providers. Parisa's impact reverberates across borders, as she leverages regional platforms like MENA Rosa --the first regional network dedicated to women living with HIV in the Middle East and North Africa-- to exchange experiences and champion global efforts against HIV stigma and discrimination with a particular focus on Women living with and affected by HIV.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Parisa's compassion for people living with and affected by HIV was once again evident. She mobilized support networks to provide essential supplies for Positive Club members and vulnerable families, ensuring that the crisis does not exacerbate the challenges faced by PLHIV.

Reflecting on the progress made over the last 25 years, Parisa acknowledged the remarkable strides in combating HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Efforts to eliminate HIV-related stigma and discrimination have been led by the UNAIDS Country Office for Iran, alongside national partners of the AIDS Control Programme. Notably, the first PLHIV Stigma Index study, conducted in 2010, laid the foundation for understanding the landscape of stigma in Iran. Subsequently, a second PLHIV Stigma Index study, was carried out by the network of PLHIV in collaboration with UNAIDS, Global Network of PLHIV (GNP+), International Community of Women Living with HIV (ICW), Johns Hopkins Medical University (JHMU), National AIDS Programme (NAP), and with financial support from Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) /UNDP. Parisa played an important role in implementing the Stigma Index 2.0 which provided updated insights.
 

COMPARING OF BOTH OF IRAN’S STIGMA INDEX STUDIES A comparison between the two Stigma Index studies conducted ten years apart, using updated methodologies, revealed promising changes. The prevalence of self-stigma among PLHIV decreased significantly from 80% to 40%. Similarly, the percentage of PLHIV refraining from seeking medical help has decreased from 80% to 19%, underscoring improved accessibility to healthcare services and increased health-seeking behaviour among affected individuals. Overall, reports of stigma and discrimination have decreased from 71% to 47%, reflecting tangible improvements in societal attitudes to HIV.

Parisa reflects on these notable shifts in HIV-related Stigma observed between the two studies. In the initial Stigma Index conducted a decade ago, internal stigma was predominant among PLHIV, followed by societal and healthcare provider stigma. However, in the subsequent study, internal stigma was significantly reduced, while stigma and discrimination from healthcare providers emerged as the most prevalent issue. The improvement observed in internal stigma among PLHIV could be partly attributed to the work of the empowering Positive Clubs. Additionally, this improvement highlights the importance of ongoing efforts to address stigma and discrimination comprehensively, with a particular focus on healthcare settings. By acknowledging these shifts and persisting in their efforts, UNAIDS Iran, Parisa and her colleagues remain committed to building a future free from the burdens of HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

Through her nearly two decades of hotline counselling experience, Parisa has witnessed a shift in attitudes, with increased awareness and openness surrounding HIV discourse. 

She credits grassroots campaigns and community-led initiatives for driving this transformation, paving the way for a more inclusive society.

In 2019, Iran joined the Global Partnership to Eliminate all forms of HIV-related stigma and discrimination, prioritizing a strong emphasis on interventions within communities, emergency/humanitarian settings, and healthcare facilities. With support from UNAIDS, protocols and training packages were developed to address stigma and discrimination in these critical areas. These efforts were carried out in close collaboration with national partners and civil society organizations, with training workshops being a key component of the initiative.
 

OVERVIEW OF GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP The Global Partnership for action to eliminate all forms of HIV-related stigma and discrimination is a critical vehicle for action to mobilise all countries to reach the political declaration and Global AIDS Strategy targets. It leverages partnerships to enhance coordination of interventions and funding; it provides knowledge and evidence-guided technical support; and increases accountability mechanisms and community leadership.

Parisa was actively involved in the implementation phase of these projects. Her contributions have been instrumental in advancing the work to eradicate HIV-related stigma and discrimination across humanitarian, healthcare, and community settings.

However, Parisa acknowledges the persistent challenges faced by PLHIV, from sporadic bouts of self-doubt to occasional rejections and the lingering shadows of depression and fear. Despite these hurdles, she remains steadfast in her belief that we can achieve a future free from stigma and discrimination.

As Parisa continues her tireless advocacy, her journey stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of collective action in fostering a world where every individual, regardless of their HIV status, is embraced with dignity and compassion. 

UNAIDS has played a pivotal role in the establishment and sustained operation of Positive Clubs for over a decade, catalyzing transformative changes in the lives of people living with HIV such as Parisa and in the fight against stigma and discrimination. Nonetheless, the journey towards eliminating stigma and discrimination remains unfinished, albeit considerably smoother and more steadfast with the collaborative efforts and political commitment of initiatives such as the Global Partnership.

GENEVA, 21 JUNE 2024—UNAIDS applauds the judgment by the High Court of Namibia, striking out as unconstitutional the law which had criminalised same-sex relationships.  The court found the law incompatible with the constitutional rights of Namibian citizens. This decision, which is in line with a series of judgments by courts in Southern Africa in recent years, marks a significant victory for equality and human rights for all Namibians and will help protect the health of everyone.

"This decision by the High Court of Namibia is a powerful step towards a more inclusive Namibia," said Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UNAIDS Regional Director for East and Southern Africa. "The colonial-era common law that criminalized same-sex sexual relations perpetuated an environment of discrimination and fear, often hindering access to essential healthcare services for LGBTQ+ individuals. To protect everyone’s health, we need to protect everyone’s human rights.”

Originally introduced during colonial rule in Apartheid South Africa and maintained in Namibian law when the country gained independence in 1990, this law had been used to rationalize discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in Namibia. It not only violated the constitutional rights of Namibian citizens but also posed a challenge to public health. The climate created by the law discouraged LGBTQ+ individuals from seeking HIV testing and treatment, undermining efforts to control the epidemic.

"By decriminalizing same-sex relationships, Namibia creates a safer environment for LGBTQ+ communities," said Ms. Githuku-Shongwe. "This allows them to access vital healthcare services, contributing to the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030."

UNAIDS urges all countries to follow Namibia's lead, remove punitive laws, and tackle prejudices against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people. Since 2019, Botswana, Gabon, Angola, Bhutan, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Singapore, Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Cook Islands, Mauritius, and Dominica have all repealed laws that criminalized LGBTQ+ people.

A more just, equitable and kind world is a healthier one for everyone.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

GENEVA, 15 May 2024—Ahead of IDAHOBIT, commemorated worldwide on 17 May, UNAIDS is calling on governments everywhere to protect the human rights of LGBTQ+ people. Protecting the human rights of every person, UNAIDS research shows, is essential for protecting public health, because it enables inclusive and equitable access to health services without discrimination.

The movement for human rights for all has made important progress. For example, whereas, at the start of the AIDS pandemic, most countries criminalized LGBTQ+ people, now two thirds of countries do not.

However, more than 60 countries still do while another 20 countries criminalize gender expression and identity.

“Stigma, discrimination and criminalization can be lethal,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “In the response to HIV, we have learned that a human rights-based approach is critical in responding to a health crisis and leaving no-one behind. Countries must remove these discriminatory criminal laws and introduce legislation which protects rights if we are to end AIDS as a public health threat for everyone.”

Discrimination, violence and criminalization force many LGBTQ+ people underground and away from health services; as a result, gay men and other men who have sex with men, and transgender people, are more affected by HIV. Globally, in 2022, men who have sex with men were 23 times more likely to acquire HIV, and transgender women 20 times more likely to acquire HIV than other adults aged 15–49.

Criminalization of LGBTQ+ people in particular causes significant harm to health. In sub-Saharan Africa, men who have sex with men in countries where they are criminalized, are five times more likely to be living with HIV than in countries that do not criminalize same-sex sexual behavior.

As a recent IAS - Lancet report demonstrated, violations of human rights have multiple damaging impacts on public health. Treating people as criminals drives people away from vital services for fear of arrest and discrimination, resulting in them not accessing HIV prevention, treatment and care.  In addition, strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws have been associated with a lack of knowledge about HIV testing and HIV status.

“For far too many people in our LGBTQ+ communities and beyond, the most basic things are still too far from reach, because of the discrimination, stigma, and violence they face every day,” said the international lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex association, ILGA World, co-Secretaries General Luz Elena Aranda and Tuisina Ymania Brown.  “This is why they are rallying behind an urgent cry: ‘No one left behind: equality, freedom and justice for all,’ reminding us of the importance of rejecting discriminatory laws, policies, and attitudes.”  

Criminal laws that discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity are a breach of the right to privacy and non-discrimination and impede the HIV response. UNAIDS calls on all states to repeal such laws and to introduce legal protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

UNAIDS, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Global Commission on HIV and the Law have made the same recommendations, as have the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and several other United Nations agencies.

UNAIDS stands with LGBTQ+ people everywhere who are facing hate, discrimination and marginalization, and calls for an end to their criminalization.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

GENEVA, 30 April 2024—The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is deeply concerned about the impact of the harmful new legislation in Iraq amending the 1988 anti-sex work law to criminalize LGBTQ+ people. The legislation imposes a prison sentence of between 10 and 15 years for same-sex sexual relations. Transgender people face up to three years imprisonment for expressing their gender or receiving gender affirmation care.   Individuals also face up to seven years for promoting homosexuality. And up to three years for providing gender affirmation care.

Criminalizing consensual same-sex relationships and gender expression not only violates fundamental human rights but also undermines efforts to end AIDS by driving marginalized populations underground and away from essential health services, including life-saving HIV prevention, treatment and care services.

Globally, the movement for human rights has made progress in the past 40 years. At the start of the AIDS pandemic in the early 1980s, most countries criminalized same-sex sexual activity between men, now two thirds do not. An increasing number of countries have also recognized the rights of trans and other gender diverse people. However, this new legislation in Iraq represents a significant setback and is part of a wave of punitive and restrictive laws being passed that undermine the rights of LGBTQ+ people.  

The legislation passed in parliament is an amendment to an existing 1988 anti-sex work law which continues to criminalize both the selling and buying of sexual services. The amendments passed on Saturday 27 April 2024 increase the penalties in relation to sex work. These laws, which countries committed to removing under the 2021 United Nations General Assembly Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS, likewise undermine the human rights and public health of sex workers.

UNAIDS calls upon the authorities of Iraq to overturn this discriminatory legislation and fulfill its obligations under international human rights law to protect the rights of all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. UNAIDS stands in solidarity with LGBTQ+ people and communities and reaffirms its commitment to work with partners to promote equality, end stigma and discrimination, uphold human rights—including the right to health, and ensure access to comprehensive HIV services for everyone, everywhere.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

GENEVA/JOHANNESBURG, 3 April 2024—The Constitutional Court of Uganda has today struck down certain sections of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023.

“The Constitutional Court of Uganda made a judgment today to strike down certain sections of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023. Evidence shows that criminalizing populations most at risk of HIV, such as the LGBTQ+ communities, obstructs access to life-saving health and HIV services, which undermines public health and the overall HIV response in the country,” said Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UNAIDS Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa. “To achieve the goal of ending the AIDS pandemic by 2030, it is vital to ensure that everyone has equal access to health services without fear."

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.