Stigma Index and GC8: Informing Funding and Planning

A new policy brief is now available to support how stigma-related data is used in HIV responses, particularly in the context of funding and program design.

This brief focuses on how data from the PLHIV Stigma Index can inform Global Fund Grant Cycle 8 (GC8) processes. It highlights the role of community-led evidence in shaping funding requests, program priorities, and accountability mechanisms.

While many data systems track coverage and outcomes, they often do not capture what people living with HIV experience when accessing services. Stigma, discrimination, breaches of confidentiality, and coercion continue to affect access to prevention, testing, treatment, and care.

The PLHIV Stigma Index helps fill this gap.

By documenting lived experiences, the Index provides evidence that can be used to:

• inform funding requests

• guide program design

• strengthen monitoring and accountability

• highlight barriers related to human rights and equity

The brief outlines how this data can be positioned within GC8, including its relevance for human rights programming and monitoring and evaluation systems.

At its core, this work centers the experiences of people living with HIV and supports the use of community-generated data in decision-making processes.

The brief is available in English, Spanish, and French.