At the United Nations High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) on TB in 2018, world leaders committed to making the TB response rights-based, equitable and stigma-free, with communities at the center.
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 prioritizes TB key and vulnerable populations.
We believe that human rights principles underpin every aspect of the TB response, with the TB-affected community central to global efforts. 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 TB-affected 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 and will be able to access the latest diagnostics and treatments.
- By expanding community-led monitoring, human rights barriers can be monitored and overcome, enhancing social accountability.
- By strengthening community advocacy and engagement in national, regional, and global forums, TB responses will be people-centered and rights-driven.