The concept of an international network to encourage reduction efforts for HIV stigma and discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS came of a meeting convened by MAC AIDS Fund (MAF) and the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) in November, 2008 that brought 58 individuals with HIV and other affected populations, implementers and program designers, advocates, researchers, donors and trainers together.
Participants analyzed best practices to reduce HIV stigma and discrimination, identified obstacles and opportunities for a cohesive response, and agreed upon the inception of a global network.
[8] Specific areas of focus are care and treatment, discrimination and legal issues, faith-based organizations, community members, healthcare workers, measurement, people living with HIV, prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), counseling and testing, injection drug users, sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, women, children and youth and the intersection of multiple stigmas.
[citation needed] Stigma-related HIV journal articles, reports, toolkits, surveys and communication and training materials are divided and searchable by geographic location.
[citation needed] The Stigma Action Network is currently sponsored by the MAC AIDS Fund, Research Triangle Institute, USAID through the Health Policy Project, and the World Bank.