A major new study expected to reveal the scale of ongoing HIV stigma and discrimination across South Africa will be launched on Tuesday, offering one of the most detailed snapshots yet of the challenges faced by people living with HIV. The HIV Stigma Index 2.0 report draws on the experiences of more than 5 000 participants from all nine provinces, capturing both urban and rural realities across 18 districts. The community-driven study examines internal and external stigma, discrimination in healthcare and workplaces, mental-health impacts, and the social barriers that continue to undermine treatment and prevention.
Researchers say early insights point to stubborn problems such as internalised shame, verbal harassment and being denied services, issues that were prominent in the 2021 Stigma Index and are expected to feature strongly again. Women, youth and marginalised groups continue to bear the brunt of discrimination. Government officials, civil society groups and people living with HIV will discuss the findings and how they should shape future responses.
The report emphasises the need for stronger community-led efforts, expanded peer-support networks, education campaigns and better integration of mental-health services within HIV care. It also calls for coordinated action across government, civil society and the private sector to dismantle the structural inequalities that fuel stigma. HSRC researcher Dr Allanise Cloete recently warned that stigma remains a barrier to meeting the 95-95-95 targets, saying the new data will be key to closing gaps in testing, treatment and viral suppression. The release of the study comes as South Africa marks a major breakthrough in HIV prevention.
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