Localising HIV&AIDS Response: Why Community Involvement Matters?

World AIDS Day, commemorated since 1988 annually on December 1, is not just a date but a reminder for collective action to raise awareness about HIV&AIDS and support people living with HIV. This year's theme, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” reflects the need for renewed engagement through solidarity, support and innovative approaches.

It also adds to the urgency to think beyond donor aid. Disruptions in funds and services, accompanied by inequalities, can undo decades of progress, challenging the realisation of the goal to end AIDS by 2030. At this crossroads, localising the HIV&AIDS response with greater community involvement remains crucial and vital.

India has made significant strides in combating HIV&AIDS since the first detection of an AIDS case in 1986. India accounts for 6.3% of the world’s HIV population. Progress can be seen in the areas of management, prevention and quality treatment of HIV&AIDS through innovative programmes, engagement with different departments and integration of health programmes. Despite the annual decrease in HIV infections by 44% since 2010, it unfolds new challenges. The decline is steeper for males than for females, with the prevalence rate among pregnant women on the rise, reflecting the ongoing feminisation of the epidemic. The shifting concentration of the HIV population from high-risk groups to the general population can destabilise efforts and progress on various fronts. With sexual transmission remaining one of the primary modes of HIV transmission, it places the general population at heightened risk.

There is a growing need for collective action rooted in community structures to drive the HIV&AIDS response through preventive action and community-led services. Localising the response is essential in Nagaland, where strong social networks, close-knit communities and rich tribal identities offer a powerful foundation for collective action. In many places, village councils, church bodies, women’s groups, student unions and youth organisations are highly respected institutions; when they speak, people listen. Involving these bodies directly in awareness-building, early testing drives and community support systems can challenge deep-rooted stigma surrounding HIV&AIDS. Culturally sensitive dialogues can replace myths with facts, helping people understand that HIV is a medical condition, not a moral failure. Churches and faith leaders can play a transformative role by promoting compassion, inclusion and non-discrimination.

Peer educators and youth volunteers can create safe spaces for young people to openly discuss sexual health, an area often seen as taboo. Strengthening community-led initiatives such as home-based care, support groups for people living with HIV and village-level advocacy campaigns can humanise the issue and ensure no one feels isolated. When local voices lead the movement, the message becomes more relatable, trustworthy and sustained. Ultimately, empowering communities to take ownership of the HIV&AIDS response will not only reduce stigma but also build resilience, encourage early testing and treatment, and nurture a society where everyone is treated with dignity.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, reducing the body’s ability to fight infections. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the advanced stage of HIV infection. HIV attacks a type of immune cell known as CD4 T cells or helper T cells.

As the name indicates, T cells send signals to other immune cells to perform their functions. When weakened, the body becomes defenceless, making it a site for opportunistic infections (OIs). OIs are infections that occur more frequently and are more severe in people with weak immune systems.

The fight against HIV&AIDS stands at a defining moment. Tremendous progress in prevention, treatment and awareness has transformed HIV from a once-fatal disease into a manageable condition, yet inequalities, funding disruptions and shifting transmission patterns continue to threaten these achievements. Ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 will require renewed commitment, stronger health systems and inclusive policies that reach every population, especially those most vulnerable. Central to this effort is the power of communities, people living with HIV, local leaders, youth networks and grassroots organisations who drive awareness, reduce stigma and ensure that no one is left behind. When communities are informed, engaged and empowered, they become catalysts for change. A global, united response rooted in compassion, solidarity and scientific progress remains the key to ensuring a healthier, more equitable world free from the burden of HIV&AIDS.

Lily Sangpui

Assistant Professor, North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research

Chümoukedima

James Phanungkiu

MSW (Peace & Conflict Transformation Studies), Project Coordinator, Peace Channel