Yabonga initiatives shape this feeling of being part of a community. Moreover, this research will look at how, and if, prevailing HIV-related stigma in a community affects this sense of community belonging and how, and if, Yabonga with its programmes influences the stigma. Furthermore, by investigating what causes the stigma, what creates the sense of belonging and what are the mechanisms that move back and forth between stigma and belonging as a process, such as for example the intersection of HIV with race, gender and class, the stereotyping of women associated mainly with this disease, the myths around HIV-infection and transmission, the lack of knowledge and the traditional beliefs about the cause of HIV/AIDS, this research tries to give a more in-depth understanding of the relation between community belonging and stigma.

Furthermore, this research tries to explain what it is like being HIV-infected and the meaning of community belonging for the HIV-positive women in the Yabonga programmes through the eyes of Yabonga staff members and what the implications are of being infected with HIV. Using qualitative data I hope to be able to shed light on the interplay between the notion of belonging and the effects/implications of HIV-related stigma on this sense of belonging. Doing so, this research tries to demonstrate the relation between stigma and exclusion and stigma and (in)equality, and with this SDG10: reduced inequality, which in my opinion so far is under-studied but yet very relevant. Within SDG 10 I will particularly focus on targets 10.2 “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status” (UN 2016) and 10.3: “Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard” (UN 2016).

This research will be conducted in several informal settlements [X] such as Khayelitsha, Mfuleni, Nyanga, Crossroads and Weltevreden/Phillippi, in Cape Town, South Africa. Additionally, I will conduct my field research within and for Yabonga, an NGO that supports positive change by empowering families affected and infected with HIV/AIDS. “By building partnerships with clinics, schools, NGOs and individuals, Yabonga offers psychosocial intervention to empower children, teenagers and adults to make better choices in life. Yabonga enables children, youth and adults, disadvantaged through socio-economic circumstances, and the impact of HIV, to change their lives for a better future” (Yabonga). Within their programmes, I will focus on the ‘the adult support programme’ and ‘internal staff development programme’ which trains care givers to be agents of change in their communities. These Yabonga care givers/staff members form my direct researc