WORLD AIDS DAY: Let’s Work Together To Break HIV Stigma

On October 25 to 26, 2023, I attended the Media Roundtable on HIV Reporting, in my capacity as a Feminist Leadership Activism Center (FLAC) fellow. The training, hosted by the South African National AIDS Counsel (SANAC), followed a U=U National Communicators Workshop, reviewing existing U=U messaging across the country.

Various stakeholders such as President Emergency Plan for AIDS (PREPFAR) and United Nations Program on HIV /AIDS (UNAIDS) and other local organisations were in attendance, sharing their insights on the importance of updated U=U messaging, as well as the role of media in spreading the word.

The first speaker to catch my attention was Dumisani Lebombo from Sisonke justice, who highlighted how gender inequality impacts the scope of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Dumisana underscored the urgent need for LGBTQIA+ and youth friendly health services as these groups are the ones finding themselves on the margins when it comes to HIV prevention and treatment.

Additionally, Dolly Mtyongwe from National Association of People Living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa (NAPWA), shared the story of when she tested HIV positive in September 1997. She said that it was not great news at the time and the sad part was she was not offered counselling, given guidance on what she needs to do or what to expect. Dolly remembers attending a private clinic nearby, which is where she received special care and was able to focus on her dreams and not the virus itself.

As we commemorate World AIDS Day, we should emphasise the significance of raising awareness and taking action to combat HIV/AIDS. Advances in HIV related science have found that if an HIV person regularly takes ARV’s they can decrease the load of the virus in their blood, making it undetectable. The U=U messaging, which refers to the ability for a person to be HIV positive and not infect others, is crucial to ending HIV stigma.

A lot has changed since the days of Sister Bettina when HIV seemed like a death sentence and communities were helpless against the virus. Today, young people can protect themselves and others through the correct use of condoms, PrEP/PEP, as well as adherence to treatment.

This year’s theme “Let Communities Lead” speaks volumes to the need for all of us to stand in solidarity to fight against the spread of the virus, as well as to provide support to those affected. As a feminist, I say let’s change the narrative on how we see people living with HIV/AIDS and start treating everyone with dignity and respect.

Mamokete Bofelo is the Soul City Institute’s Feminist and Leadership Activism Centre (FLAC) Fellow and Communications Intern.