Background
African people with HIV have significant ongoing difficulties in the following areas: income, immigration status, housing and living conditions, and access to training, skills and job opportunities. Difficulties in meeting these basic needs clearly lead to reduced quality of life. They have significant and ongoing difficulties associated with anxiety and depression, their ability to sleep, their self-confidence and their personal relationships.

Social exclusion is undoubtedly exacerbated by factors associated with migration. Despite a relatively long history of the epidemic in sub Saharan Africa, HIV remains significantly stigmatised among African communities in the UK and globally. African people with HIV in the UK are less able to disclose to and draw support from their family and expatriate communities. Stigma at a community level leads to difficulties in even the most intimate relationships.

This is all compounded by a social, legal and policy environment that is not geared towards maximising the health and productivity of African people with HIV.

What is the AHPN?
The AHPN is an alliance of African community-based organisations and their supporters working for fair policies for people living with HIV/AIDS in the UK, providing training, support, research and information. The AHPN is the only African organisation in the UK whose work is dedicated to policy, advocacy and representation at national level. Its major focus is on HIV and the sexual health of Africans in the UK.

Our Work  
Our work focuses on mobilising and strengthening communities so that they can respond to HIV and AIDS themselves. We are an initiative of people, forums, organisations and communities working towards a shared vision by supporting effective community responses to HIV/AIDS. We believe that effective advocacy must be inclusive of the voice of those most vulnerable to HIV. Given the level of stigma that exists within African communities and in the wider social and political context advocacy can mean exposing yourself as HIV positive and/or a migrant. The conclusion for many Africans living with and/or affected by HIV is that participation in informing policy and advocacy activities can mean exposing oneself to being discriminated against. As such the AHPN’s capability to effectively advocate on their behalf is critical.