Stigma and Discrimination Faced by Women Living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA)

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) continue to be among the most pressing global public health challenges. According to UNAIDS (2020), approximately 38 million people worldwide are living with HIV, with around 5.8 million of them residing in Asia. In India alone, the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO, 2020) reports that 2.349 million people are living with HIV, making it the country with the third-highest number of cases globally, with an estimated HIV prevalence rate of 0.22%. Despite significant advancements in public health interventions, several barriers still hinder access to HIV-related services. Chief among these barriers are stigma, discrimination, and negative attitudes toward people living with HIV (PLHIV). Such attitudes undermine efforts in HIV prevention, care, and treatment.