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SAfAIDS World AIDS Day statement
Southern
Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS)
December 01, 2011
Southern Africa
HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS) joins the
rest of the world today as we commemorate World AIDS Day. We greet
this World AIDS Day with happiness and pride in the knowledge that
as civil society organizations we have contributed to the significant
reduction in new HIV infections, and have supported communities
and organizations to strengthen their capacity to provide quality
care and treatment for people living with HIV and AIDS.
UNAIDS has reported
that nearly 50% of people who are eligible for antiretroviral therapy
now have access to the life saving treatment. It has also been reported
that new HIV-infections and AIDS-related deaths have fallen to their
lowest levels since the peak of the epidemic. From evidence on the
ground in southern Africa, it is possible to see that working together,
we can achieve the targets of Zero new HIV infections; Zero discrimination;
and Zero AIDS-related deaths.
Yet, there is
a bitter sweet tone to many of the reports and statements, as many
of the organizations who have supported that regional and national
response(s) to HIV and AIDS are struggling to find resources to
carry on their work. UNAIDS has projected that to achieve universal
access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2015, there
is a need for funding to be scaled up.
The cancellation
of the Global Fund against HIV, TB and Malaria (Round 11) has been
a significant blow to the regional response to HIV and AIDS. To
date, the Global Fund had helped 1.3 million pregnant women with
HIV to receive treatment which prevents the passing the virus on
to their babies (up from only 150,000 women in 2004). Without the
support, many civil society organizations that formed the foundation
of HIV prevention, community mobilization and care will have to
close their doors.
Despite the
deteriorating economic climate, HIV remains a crisis in southern
Africa. We believe in the need for African governments to take up
the reign, and commit to funding in smart investments that will
promote positive health outcomes, and evidence-based programming.
At the international level, we also strongly believe that this is
not the time to shift focus entirely away from HIV prevention, care
and treatment but rather integrate HIV programs with other health
and development initiatives. We need to keep up the momentum.
Building a new
generation of leaders as we enter the fourth decade of the HIV and
AIDS campaign, there is a need to build a new generation of leaders
who can carry forward the campaign. In 2011, SAfAIDS has launched,
Young Women First - a Young Women Leadership programme that will
support a number of young women, including some living with HIV,
with knowledge, leadership skills and practical experience in advocacy.
SAfAIDS is using social media, documentation and communication to
create a regional platform for mentoring, learning and knowledge
exchange among the young women and other civil society organisations
in the region. Together with Genderlinks, SAfAIDS will be hosting
a discussion and cyber dialogue on young women, gender-based violence
and HIV on December 1st, 2011.
Integration
of SRHR and HIV - In the approach to evidenced-based programming
on HIV, SAfAIDS has focused on the integration of SRHR and HIV for
improved health outcomes. There is growing evidence that shows that
there are mutual benefits of linking HIV, PMTCT, SRHR and MCH. Each
of services linked brings with it a constituency of users who may
have been exposed to HIV therefore each of the services can be a
useful entry point for testing, treatment, counseling and general
health care. Linking Maternal and child health programs (MCH) and
sexual and reproductive health services (SRHR) can provide an opportunity
to reach sexually active women and girls who could be at risk of
HIV infection. In addition, integrated services ensure that women
and girls who are HIV positive receive the care and treatment they
require to prevent transmission to their unborn child, and receive
support for their own health and well-being. A smart investment
will be to put funding resources in integrated programmes. SAfAIDS
hosted a policy dialogues in Namibia on November 30th to usher in
the World AIDS Day and advocate for strengthened sexual and reproductive
health services.
Bringing together
all leaders as Champions of Prevention. We are all leaders in our
own right with respect to HIV prevention, care, treatment and support.
We need all people to scale up HIV prevention at home, in their
communities, and in their workplace. Over the past year, SAfAIDS
has worked with over 500 traditional leaders in the southern African
region to advocate for community-level change in the prevention
of Gender-based violence and HIV. There is a need to continue to
engage all to become champions of change in HIV prevention.
To achieve Zero
new infections, Zero discrimination and Zero AIDS-related deaths,
we need everyone to play a role, from government to international
funding partners, traditional leaders and local champions. As SAfAIDS
we commit to play our part in ensuring that the gains made will
not be reversed. Join us as we support several national level celebrations
for World AIDS Day and keep up the momentum in the fight against
HIV and AIDS through 2012.
Visit the SAfAIDS
fact
sheet
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