Malawi

The HIV situation in Malawi is described as a generalised epidemic. However, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and men who have sex with men (MSM) experience considerable levels of stigma and discrimination. This has huge knock-on effects on the risk of HIV transmission.

Malawian civil society organisations that are led by, or work with, LGBT and MSM people are eligible to apply for funding from the Rapid Response Fund. The grants can be used to respond to stigma, discrimination, and threats of violence that limit access to HIV services for LGBT and MSM people.

One of the success stories from the Rapid Response Fund in Malawi comes from Matofu and his son Suphi. They faced horrendous levels of abuse at a refugee camp in the country. With a grant provided to a Frontline AIDS partner, the pair were supported to move to Canada. Here, they now have refugee status and Suphi is about to start school.

DID YOU KNOW?

In Malawi in 2019:

• 8.9% of people in Malawi were living with HIV.
• There were 33,000 new HIV infections.
• 55% of sex workers were living with HIV.