And so, the struggle against the spread and impact of HIV continues. In my most recent engagement with some health sector stakeholders, peoples’ eyes popped out when I said that the HIV field is fraught with rhetoric and I gave the examples of “GIPA/MIPA”, “95-95-95” and “Stigma Reductions” as most common rhetoric. Even some PLHIV “leaders” demonstrated shock when I pointed out such faults, because they feel that what is their invention will always hold true – dangerous error: It is a fact that many words and phrases in the HIV response have been repeated so often that they have lost meaning because they are used performatively without corresponding action behind them. There is now a growing need to replace such words and phrases by grounding them in lived realities of PLHIV and insisting on a language that demands accountability, dignity, and transformation. Here is a breakdown:

Why this reframing matter in visioning:

For completeness: The first three 95s keep us alive, but the Fourth 95 makes life worth living. Equity: It ensures children, youth, and older PLHIV are included beyond the clinic. Accountability: It demands systems measure hope, thriving, and social justice, not only viral loads. Agency: It centres the sovereign self — that we are not statistics, but spirit beings with full lives.

What other words do you consider rhetoric?

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