Discrimination and stigmatisation of PLHIV in 2024: RAS+ outlines the situation in Togo

---

Extract from the article: On Friday 07 March, the Network of Associations of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Togo (RAS+) presented the 2024 annual report of the Human Rights and HIV Observatory. The aim is to contribute to the elimination of obstacles to achieving results

---

On Friday 07 March, the Network of Associations of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Togo (RAS+) presented the 2024 annual report of the Human Rights and HIV Observatory. The aim is to contribute to the elimination of obstacles to achieving results in the area of HIV. The meeting is part of the celebrations for ‘Zero Discrimination Day’, held on 1 March each year to draw the attention of governments to the importance of a world without discrimination. The theme of this year's event is ‘We stand together’. The event was opened by Yokbey Kantche, representing the Minister for Human Rights. UNAIDS Country Director Dr Yayé Kanny Diallo was also present.

The annual report of the Observatory for Human Rights and HIV reveals that 229 People Living with HIV (PLHIV) were victims of stigma or discrimination in Togo in 2024; 209 cases were referred and 153 cases were monitored. The report also identified 229 cases of psychological gender-based violence (GBV), 15 cases of economic violence and 11 cases of sexual violence.

To raise awareness among all stakeholders and combat rights violations, RAS+ raised awareness among 60,629 people. A total of 150 resource persons (religious leaders, community leaders, heads of chambers of trade) on the situation of stigmatisation and discrimination, the contribution of resource persons to the fight against stigmatisation and discrimination, and the handling of cases.

RAS+ also trained 103 health care providers from 05 health facilities on the protection of medical confidentiality, HIV-related confidentiality and dealing with cases of stigmatisation, and on the contribution of health facilities to the fight against these scourges.

A total of twelve (12) radio programmes and two (2) television programmes were produced to raise awareness and inform people about self-stigmatisation, self-esteem, legal provisions to combat stigmatisation, discrimination and GBV, among other topics.

‘Managing stigma, discrimination and GBV... In 2024, there was a slight drop in cases of stigma/discrimination of less than -17% compared to 2023. At the same time, volunteers continued to raise awareness, reaching over 60,000 people. There has also been a significant drop in stigmatising and discriminatory behaviour in health facilities, with just one case reported in 2024, compared with 15 cases in 2023’, emphasised Dr Amen Hlomevoo, Coordinator of RAS+ Togo.

The coordinator of the Permanent Secretariat of the National Council for the Fight against AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (SP/CNLS-IST), Professor Vincent Pitché, stressed the importance of this report, which will enable those involved in the fight against HIV in Togo to take appropriate measures to further protect PLHIV in Togo.

The impact of discrimination is profound. It prevents PLHIV from accessing the treatment and health services they need.This exacerbates the spread of the epidemic and makes it more difficult to achieve public health objectives.The fear of marginalisation and silence prevents awareness-raising efforts from being fully effective.

In addition, programmes to combat HIV come up against institutional and social obstacles when stigma persists, reducing their scope and limiting their impact.

At the end of the meeting, a dozen stakeholders were awarded certificates of merit in recognition of their commitment, dedication and exceptional contribution to the fight against HIV-related discrimination and stigma in Togo.

William O.