Forty million people worldwide live with HIV/AIDS today, and among these ones, 8 millions live in South Africa (4.9 are women aged 15 years and above according to UNAIDS). Yet, stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to effective treatment and prevention. Despite medical advances that have transformed AIDS from a fatal diagnosis to a manageable chronic condition, social prejudice continues to impact lives dramatically. AIDS Awareness Month spotlights these ongoing challenges while celebrating the progress made in understanding and treating the condition.
