Campaign 2003
Increasing awareness of HIV-related stigma and discrimination is the focus of World AIDS Day for 2004. Stigma and discrimination are recognized as major factors fueling the global HIV epidemic, creating a climate of fear and ignorance.

People with, or who are suspected of having, HIV have been turned away from healthcare services, been denied housing, employment, and insurance coverage, and have been refused entrance into foreign countries. People with HIV/AIDS have been shunned by their friends, colleagues, and family, while some have even been evicted from their homes and divorced by their spouses. Even worse, there are some cases where people with HIV/AIDS have suffered physical violence and murder.