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Message on World AIDS Day
Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS)
November 30, 2010

SAfAIDS joins the World in commemorating World AIDS Day on December 1. Working with the theme 'Universal Access and Human Rights." for the second year running, this attests to the fact that while valuable progress has been made in increasing access to HIV services, greater commitment is needed around the world if the goal of universal access to HIV services is to be achieved.

As the world continues to fight HIV, SAfAIDS recognizes that Global leaders have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and care, recognising these as fundamental human rights. However, millions of people continue to be infected with HIV every year while less than half of those in need of antiretroviral therapy are receiving it, and too many do not have access to adequate care services.

The protection of human rights is fundamental to combating the effects of the global HIV epidemic. UNAIDS notes that violations against human rights fuel the spread of HIV, putting marginalised groups, such as injecting drug users, men who have sex with men, women and sex workers, at a higher risk of HIV infection. By promoting individual human rights, new infections can be prevented and people who have HIV can live free from discrimination.

World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for individuals, communities and political leaders to take action and ensure the protection of human rights, the meeting of global targets for HIV prevention, treatment and care. As SAfAIDS, we believe action and commitment should not only rest on this special day, but should be a continuous process. World AIDS Day should be a day that we are re-invigorating our energies and committing to continue the fight against HIV.

The Day also falls into the period where the world is also commemorating the 16 days of Activism against gender based violence on women and children. The 16 days of Activism focuses on raising awareness at the local, national, regional and international levels about the effects of gender-based violence, strengthening local work, linking local and global work, providing a forum for dialogue and strategy-sharing, pressuring governments to implement commitments made in national and international legal instruments and demonstrating the solidarity of activists around the world. This is because despite the increased awareness, women continue to experience violations in alarming numbers and new forms of violence are emerging. There are structures in place that permit gender-based violence to exist and persist.

Gender based violence is a violation of people's human rights. It has implications on universal access to treatment as fear of the other can prevent one from seeking or accessing treatment. The link pushes us to ensure that for us as the world to win the fight against HIV, we need to commit to an environment that is conducive to the implementation of successful HIV interventions. As an organisation, we commit to use information as a change agent, and compliment efforts being done by other partners in the fight against HIV. We also commit to the reinforcement of the importance of targeted combination prevention that addresses the needs of the individual and promotes a conducive environment that supports human rights, protection and reduction of vulnerability.

SAfAIDS recognises the linkages between gender and culture through a realisation that culture plays a vital part of one's life, and as a result one's decisions regarding health and HIV. Current interventions rarely address the cultural practices, norms, values and structures to reduce new infections.

Those that have attempted to address culture, too often have approached it from a negative perspective, which results in resistance from the community. SAfAIDS commits to ensuring that HIV prevention and gender initiatives address culture, with communities playing a critical and active role in defining their own culture. Through such interventions, communities will be able to identify their own practices that put them at risk of HIV infection, infringe on people's human rights, and come up with ways of addressing such challenges. Resultantly, this will ensure the achievement of universal access and human rights.

As SAfAIDS we say, we will not rest till we achieve Universal Access and Human Rights.

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