Building self-worth through peer connection.
In Zambia, Beyond Stigma is working with young people living with HIV to reduce internal stigma, strengthen self-worth and build the confidence to support others.
Working alongside Zvandiri, with support from the Zambian team and UNAIDS Zambia, Beyond Stigma brought the Wakakosha approach and Peer Support Guide to young people across Lusaka and Greater Lusaka.
The Challenge
Creating space to challenge internal stigma.
For young people living with HIV, internal stigma can shape how they see themselves, their relationships and their place in the world.
Negative beliefs, shame and self-doubt can become barriers to confidence, connection and wellbeing.
Beyond Stigma's work in Zambia creates safe spaces where young people can explore these thoughts, understand where they come from and begin replacing self-stigma with greater self-worth.
Wakakosha Zambia
From self-stigma to self-worth.
In November 2025, 24 young people living with HIV, aged 16–21 and representing 19 health facilities across Lusaka and Greater Lusaka, took part in a three-day Wakakosha experience in Kafue.
Through reflection, meditation, creative writing, singing and peer connection, participants explored internal stigma and learned new ways to understand and reframe difficult thoughts.
“I am worth it… despite my status.”
Creating Space for Change
Over the three days, participants reported growing confidence, emotional safety and a deeper understanding of self-stigma.
For some, this meant beginning to recognise and challenge beliefs they had carried about themselves:
“Stigma comes from ourselves.”
“I need to start unlearning that.”
From Participants to Peer Leaders
The programme didn't end with their own experience.
Participants were trained to use the Beyond Stigma Peer Support Guide, giving them practical tools to help other young people living with HIV understand and reduce internal stigma.
Through group practice and peer-led sessions, they began building the skills and confidence to take this work back into their own support networks.
The Ripple Effect
The next step is to support these young people as they bring what they have learned into peer support groups and health facilities across Lusaka.
By equipping young people to support one another, change can travel far beyond the original programme, from one young person recognising their own worth to helping another recognise theirs.confidence to take this work back into their own support networks.
Looking Ahead
From participants to peer leaders.
Beyond Stigma will continue supporting peer-led approaches in Zambia, strengthening connections between participants and exploring opportunities to expand the work.
The vision is simple: young people moving beyond self-stigma, recognising their worth and becoming part of the change for others.
Help Create Lasting Change
Together, we can help more people move from self-stigma to self-worth.
Choose how you'd like to support our work.