The national Pride Flag Tour campaign, which promotes stigma-free healthcare for LGBTIQ+ people in South Africa, kicked off in Limpopo this week.
Led by The Aurum Institute’s POP INN programme in partnership with the Institute of Health Programs and Systems (IHPS), the initiative brings together government, traditional leaders, healthcare providers, civil society organisations and communities to reaffirm every person’s right to access healthcare with dignity and respect.
Campaign Launches Across Five Districts
The project, announced last month, got underway with a series of stakeholder engagements, beneficiary testimonies and community conversations in the Vhembe, Mopani, Capricorn, Waterberg and Sekhukhune districts.
Participants were encouraged to make public commitments to creating welcoming, inclusive and rights-based healthcare services.
The events also featured the ceremonial unveiling of the Pride Flag as a symbol of inclusion, dignity and equitable healthcare for all. Participants were invited to sign the flag as a public show of support.
Addressing Stigma in a Changing HIV Landscape
The initiative comes at a time when South Africa is restructuring its HIV response amid a changing funding landscape following the US government’s HIV funding cuts.
The Aurum Institute said it remains essential to address “persistent barriers that prevent many people—particularly key populations—from accessing healthcare because of stigma, discrimination and fear.”
It added: “Healthcare should never depend on who you are, who you love or where you come from. By strengthening partnerships across districts, we can improve access to HIV prevention, treatment, mental health services and other essential healthcare while protecting the dignity and human rights of those most affected by stigma.”
Building Inclusive, People-Centred Healthcare
The Aurum Institute expressed hope that the Pride Flag Tour will strengthen collaboration between stakeholders, increase public confidence in available health services and promote greater awareness of inclusive, people-centred healthcare.
The Pride Flag Tour will continue to roll out across other provinces in the coming weeks and months.
