WHY LANGUAGE IS IMPORTANT
Language shapes perception, influences attitudes, and can
either uphold dignity or reinforce stigma. In the context of
health, human rights, and development work, it is essential to
use terminology that is respectful, inclusive, and non-
discriminatory.
By shifting from labels that dehumanize or blame to language
that centers individuals and their experiences, we contribute to
creating safer, more empathetic, and equitable environments
for all.
DON’T SAY INSTEAD SAY RATIONALE
Person who uses drugs,
"junkie", "ashawo", and "HIV
Junkie, druggie, addict/Oshiwi Person with a substance
patient" carry heavy stigma,
use disorder
while replacements like "sex
worker" or "person with a
substance use disorder" are
Prostitute/ Ashawo Sex worker
neutral and respectful.
Men who have sex with
men / person in a same sex
Trumu trumu / Kojo Besia
Trumu trumu / Kojo Besia relationship / key
are deeply derogatory
populations (depending on
context)
Terms like "person living
HIV carrier / HIV patient/ Infected with HIV" shift focus from
Person living with HIV
Person the condition to the
individual, affirming dignity.
It avoids placing the
Mother to child transmision Vertical Transmission blame/fault on the mother
for transmission to the child.
You could also include:
Handicapped or Disabled “person with a visual/hearing
Person with a disability
person/ blind person/ deaf impairment” or “blind/deaf
(visual/ hearing or other)
person person” (only if self-
identified).
People in vulnerable Changing "vulnerable
Vulnerable people
situations people" to "people in
vulnerable situations"
Persons in vulnerable or recognizes that vulnerability
At risk groups
marginalised situations is contextual, not inherent.
Using "survivor" instead of
Survivor e.g. survivor of
Victim e.g. rape victim (unless "victim" centers agency and
rape/gender-based
the person is no longer alive) recovery, especially in cases
violence/ sexual assault
of gender-based violence.
DON’T SAY INSTEAD SAY RATIONALE
Avoids framing drug users as
Clean (to describe someone Person not currently using
‘dirty’ or morally impure.
not using drugs) drugs / person in recovery
Died by suicide / took their Removes implication of
Committed suicide
own life criminality or moral failure.
Outdated and offensive;
Hermaphrodite Intersex person intersex is the accurate,
respectful term.
‘Transgender’ is an adjective;
Transgendered / a Transgender person /
avoids implying the person is
transgender person of trans experience
defined solely by identity.
Respects gender identity
Born a boy/girl (for trans Assigned male/female at
without undermining lived
people) birth
experience.
Avoids dehumanization and
Albino/ Ofri jato Person with albinism
focuses on the person.
Undocumented migrants /
Avoids criminalizing people;
Illegals / illegal migrants people with irregular
focuses on legal situation.
migration status
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR ACTION TO ELIMINATE ALL FORMS
OF HIV RELATED STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION
In December 2023, Ghana formally joined the Global Partnership for Action to Eliminate All
Forms of HIV-related Stigma and Discrimination. This global platform identifies six priority
settings where stigma is most harmful: community, workplace, healthcare, education,
humanitarian, and justice systems. Ghana prioritised work in workplace, healthcare and
educational settings.
Understanding how stigma manifests is essential for providing redress and designing effective
interventions. Stigma can be internal, external, or intersecting:
Internal stigma occurs when a person living with or affected by HIV internalizes negative beliefs
and feelings about themselves due to their HIV status. This may manifest as shame, guilt, self-
isolation, or low self-worth.
External stigma occurs when an individual is subjected to discriminatory attitudes, behaviors, or
policies from others because of their actual or perceived HIV status. This includes verbal abuse,
denial of services, or social exclusion.
Intersecting stigma occurs when a person experiences multiple, overlapping forms of stigma
and discrimination based on other aspects of their identity—such as gender, disability, sexual
orientation, drug use, or poverty—in addition to their HIV status. By recognizing these different
forms of stigma, Ghana can better tailor its response to ensure equity, dignity, and rights for all.
SETTING EXAMPLE
Exclusion from social events.
COMMUNITY
Verbal/physical harassment in public
WORKPLACE Forced disclosure of status by employers
EDUCATION Isolation of children living with HIV in schools
Nurses wearing double gloves when attending to a person living with
HIV
HEALTHCARE
Fear of being seen when waiting in line to get medicine.
JUSTICE Criminalisation of transmission and non-disclosure
HUMANITARIAN Denial of emergency support to persons living with HIV
