Reducing Stigma and Discrimination Towards LGBTI and Sex Workers in Southern Africa : Findings and implications for communication from a multi-phase study in eight countries

During 2016 and 2017, a series of studies were commissioned by M&C Saatchi World Services (M&CS WS) to understand how to reduce stigma and discrimination as a key barrier to service access through the development and dissemination of messages co-created with Key Population (KP) Networks to shift attitudes and beliefs across key segments of public. The overall study comprised five components: 1) A literature review; 2) A cultural analysis; 3) Hypothesis Testing; 4) Co-creation; 5) Stimulus review. Components 3-5 involved qualitative research in all eight countries. This took the form of a series of participatory workshops with youth, men, women and stakeholders, and was complemented by interviews with stakeholders, LGBT and Sex Workers (SW).