Stigma Action Network (SAN), Washington DC, USA
From the Global Women's Network
| Stigma Action Network (SAN), Washington DC, USA | |
|---|---|
| Logo: |  |
| Street address: | 1120 20th St. NW 20036 |
| City: | Washington DC |
| Country: | United States |
| Location: |
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| Location coordinates: | 38° 54' 17" N, 77° 2' 43" WLatitude: 38.904593 Longitude: -77.045383 |
| Contact number: | 202-742-1232 |
| Contact email: | info@stigmaactionnetwork.org |
| Website: | http://www.stigmaactionnetwork.org |
| Twitter: | http://twitter.com/#!/stigmaactionnet |
| Facebook: | http://www.facebook.com/StigmaActionNetwork |
| Target: | Girls and Women |
| Organization type: | Women's network (network/coalition of people or organizations) |
| Sectors: | Leadership, HIV/AIDS, Health, Empowerment |
| Year founded/registered: | 2010 |
Contents |
Summary
SAN seeks to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination through a network that will catalyze action and commitment locally regionally and globally through knowledge sharing, dialogue and partnership.
About
Stigma and discrimination remain seriously neglected issues in the global response to HIV, despite more than a decade of evidence showing that reducing stigma and discrimination is crucial to ensuring the success of HIV prevention, care and treatment efforts. Stigma and fear of stigma increase the likelihood that people will avoid getting tested for HIV, disclosing their status to partners, seeking care and adhering to treatment.
The idea of a global network to galvanize HIV stigma and discrimination reduction efforts came out of a meeting convened by the MAC AIDS Fund (MAF) and The International Center for Research for Women (ICRW) in November 2008 that brought together experts from the program, research, policy, advocacy and donor sectors. At the meeting, participants reviewed what works to reduce HIV stigma and discrimination, identified key barriers and opportunities for a coordinated response, and agreed upon the top priority of creation of a global network. To define the structure and functioning of the network, ICRW then hosted a planning meeting with 24 working group members representing 17 organizations in September 2009. Working group members discussed the goals and objectives of the network, as well as key function areas, and a proposed structure. Based on the outcomes of the working group meeting, a business plan and budget for the various components of the network were developed. MAF awarded a grant to support the first year of network planning and development, and as a result the Stigma Action Network (SAN) was formed.
Launched at the International AIDS Conference in Vienna in July 2010, SAN is a collaborative endeavor that aims to coordinate efforts to develop and expand program, research and advocacy strategies for reducing HIV stigma worldwide, including mobilizing stakeholders, delivering program and policy solutions, and maximizing investments in HIV programs and services globally. SAN aims to be a “one-stop shop” for programmers, researchers, policymakers and advocates for sharing and learning about the latest tools, technical resources, research findings and new initiatives on HIV stigma and discrimination reduction – information that is critical for avoiding duplication of efforts and advancing the field.
Goals
- Bring together diverse stakeholders to share experiences, best practices, knowledge, tools, and research around HIV-related stigma and discrimination.
- Manage and disseminate information on reducing stigma and discrimination through the network web-site, including provision of tools, best practices, and guidelines for planning and implementation.
- Foster new partnerships across sectors through networking opportunities at conferences/meetings and linking network members with available human resources via the network web-site.
- Facilitate innovative solutions and expand the reach of best and promising practices to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination.
- Inform, educate and reach out to a range of audiences by promoting and creating demand for best practices to reduce stigma and discrimination and catalyzing key stakeholders to support, utilize, and expand these practices.
- Mobilize network members and provide tools to advocate for increased funding to support integrating stigma and discrimination reduction into all HIV programming.
- Promote research across disciplines to expand the evidence base for HIV-related stigma and discrimination reduction efforts.
- Identify and advocate for a global cross-sector research agenda by engaging network members and other stakeholders to participate in e-forums, electronic surveys and network working groups.
- Link network members and evaluation experts to improve monitoring and evaluation of stigma reduction programs and to promote evidence-based advocacy.
Activities
ICRW is currently serving as the Stigma Action Network’s first Technical Secretariat under the direction of a six-member Steering Committee comprised of Colectivo Sol, EngenderHealth,Futures Group, The International HIV/AIDS Alliance Africa Regional Programme, Research Triangle Institute and The Communication Hub. In the next phase of work, an Advisory Committee will be established to provide strategic guidance to the SAN Secretariat and Steering Committee.
Needs
Contribute
Contribute to SAN and give yourself a voice. You can add a document, weblink, or event.
