Stamp out Stigma: Challenging HIV & AIDS Discrimination

The Stamp out Stigma campaign is a unique consortium of partners representing domestic and international development NGO’s, frontline statutory workers and HIV positive people working towards the elimination of HIV-related stigma throughout Ireland. While focused nationally, the campaign has sought to link global and local experiences of stigma and discrimination through the active engagement of international partners and shared experiences of
HIV-related stigma across a range of cultures.

The campaign aims to tackle the stigma associated with HIV and challenges both direct and indirect discrimination experienced by people living with HIV in Ireland, while informing and learning from experiences in developing countries. Additionally, Stamp out Stigma aims to promote an understanding of HIV while highlighting the irrationality of stigma and discrimination at home and abroad.

Drawings parallels with the impact of stigma globally, the Taoiseach acknowledged the pervasiveness of HIV related stigma and discrimination when he addressed the UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS in June 2006. He called on political leaders to work to make our societies more open, caring, inclusive and non-judgemental and he has lent his backing and support on a continuous basis to the Stamp out Stigma initiative.

The Stamp out Stigma campaign is jointly funded by Irish Aid and the Department of Health & Children.