History of the campaign:

Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment (HAART) was introduced in 1996 and continues to be extended free-of-charge to every person living with HIV or AIDS in Ireland to date. A wide range of statutory and Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) support services are available to HIV positive people, their families and caregivers throughout Ireland, while the majority of NGOs provide prevention, education and training services for HIV+ people, high risk populations and the general public. Harm reduction approaches have been the cornerstone of NGO service provision, and needle exchange services, while under-developed and not widely available have been in operation in the state since the late nineties.

While the treatment and care of HIV positive people in Ireland continues to be accessible and of a high standard there has been a growing acknowledgement that the stigma and discrimination experienced by HIV+ people needs to be challenged.

Target 20 of the Dublin Declaration 2004 identified the following aim

"Combat stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV&AIDS in Europe and Central Asia, including through a critical review and monitoring of existing legislation, policies and practices with the objective of promoting the effective enjoyment of all human rights for people living with HIV&AIDS and members of affected communities."

The Taoiseach acknowledged the pervasive nature of HIV related stigma and discrimination when he addressed the UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on HIV&AIDS in June 2006. He called on political leaders to work to make our societies more open, caring, inclusive and non-judgemental. He announced that " As a first step we will have a National Campaign to combat stigma and discrimination against people infected with HIV in Ireland coinciding with World AIDS Day on 1st December this year". (2006)

The Taoiseach also launched the White Paper on Irish Aid in September 2006. While the white paper does not address stigma and discrimination it does pay special attention to HIV&AIDS. It is addressed as a cross cutting issue and committing significant support for those working in the response to HIV & AIDS in developing countries.

Since then a Multi-Stakeholder Forum has been established. The National Stamp Out Stigma campaign is a partnership made up of representatives from both domestic and development civil society organisations working in the area of HIV&AIDS in Ireland and globally, statutory agencies and HIV positive people. People living with HIV in Ireland are central to this Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) which was responsible for developing the concept of a national campaign. The National Stamp Out Stigma Campaign is co- funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs (Irish Aid) and the Department of Health and Children. This unique partnership has extremely successful in bringing together the various stakeholders and facilitating collaboration, dialogue and consistency.

Campaign Aims

A year long process to tackle the stigma associated with HIV while further challenging both direct and indirect discrimination experienced by people living with HIV in Ireland, while informing and learning from experiences in developing countries
To promote an understanding of HIV while highlighting the irrationality of stigma and discrimination at home and abroad

Campaign Strategies

Anti-HIV stigma and discrimination advertisement

People living with HIV were central in the planning of the advertising campaign. Seven focus groups and ten one to one interviews took place throughout Ireland which informed the advertising campaign. Experiences of HIV related stigma from overseas were collected by MSF members. The advertising campaign highlights that HIV related stigma is a global issue.

Working with media

The Stamp Out Stigma Campaign recognized that the media have an essential role to play in challenging HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

An Information Seminar for the media was held on Irish AIDS Day June 15th 2007 the media were invited to the launch of the Stamp Out Stigma website. At the launch Terry Prone gave a talk on responsible reporting on HIV. Read speech here Media packs were also handed out containing UNAIDS Terminology Guidelines 2007 and the NUJ’s Guidelines for reporting HIV.

Working with the Equality Authority

The Campaign will work with the Equality Authority to promote awareness of the Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Acts 2000 and 2004 that provide for the illegality of discrimination on the basis of HIV status; while supporting employers, unions, schools and other educational institutions, housing bodies and associations to develop workplace policies. Work will commence in 2008.

Working with non-governmental organisations

Those NGOs currently providing HIV services throughout Ireland engaged with the campaign at community and statutory level to reinforce the anti-stigma campaign and in challenging attitudes and prejudices, through the design and implantation of HIV and Stigma Workshops.