Despite the pervasiveness of HIV-related stigma and discrimination in national HIV epidemics and their harmful impact in terms of public health and human rights, they remain seriously neglected issues in most national responses to HIV. National AIDS programmes together with key partners can take concrete steps to address these critical obstacles and help pave the way towards universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support. This document presents strategies, programme examples and research findings concerning how governments, the UN system, donors and civil society can make the reduction of HIV-related stigma and discrimination central in the national response to AIDS.
