The Stop TB Partnership is committed to making the TB response rights-based, just, equitable and stigma free, with TB affected communities at the centre. The Country and Community Support for Impact (CCS4i) team works to do just that through its innovative approach to Communities, Rights and Gender (CRG), aiming to leave no one behind in the fight to End TB and keeping TB-affected communities at the heart of everything we do. Our work is guided by three primary priorities:
- Technically strong country responses;
- Empowered networks of people affected by TB and civil society;
- Advancing a rights-based, gender sensitive TB response that prioritises TB key and vulnerable populations.
We believe that human rights principles, with the TB-affected community central to global efforts, underpin every aspect of the TB response, and our work with civil society and community partners is fundamental for us to achieve our goals. Civil society and TB affected communities play an important role in informing, designing, and implementing national TB strategic plans. TB affected communities are often excluded and do not have the resources to meaningfully participate in the TB response at all levels. Engaging TB-affected communities is key to ending TB by 2030:
- By supporting affected TB communities to engage in the TB response, more people will be better informed about TB and available tools and recommendations and more people, especially key and vulnerable populations will be able to access quality TB services.
- By boosting demand for new TB services and tools, will be able to access the latest diagnostics and treatments.
- By expanding community-led monitoring, human rights and other barriers can be monitored and overcome, enhancing social accountability and by strengthening community advocacy and engagement in national, regional, and global fora, TB responses will be people-centered and rights-driven.
The TB response must be guided by principles of equity and social justice. Where human rights, gender and the experiences of key and vulnerable populations are central to all parts of TB, health and social protection systems, TB responses are more effective. With this in mind, Stop TB Partnership approaches its TB CRG work guided by the following values:
- Social justice
- Human rights
- Gender equity
- Community empowerment
- Partnership
- Participation
- Respect
