Equal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights is critical for all of the world’s 8 billion people today. The response to HIV, which is under unprecedented pressure due to numerous global crises, is one of the most important areas where it is urgently necessary to remove discriminatory restrictions on rights and preferences.
To address what still poses a serious threat to global public health on World AIDS Day, we must reaffirm our commitment to equality. Although consistent improvements in healthcare have contributed to the growth of the world’s population, it is unacceptable that the pace of change is still so uneven.
After more than 40 years of the AIDS epidemic, we can now see significant improvements in halting HIV transmission and reducing its effects. However, 1.5 million new HIV infections happened in 2021, which is triple the agreed-upon global target of no more than 500,000 new infections annually.
More than 60% of new HIV cases in sub-Saharan Africa were in women and girls, which can be attributed to gender discrimination and women’s lack of bodily autonomy, including the ability to make decisions about how to protect themselves. There, teenage girls and young women are three times more likely to contract HIV than boys and men of the same age.
People who are at high risk for HIV frequently deal with a variety of injustices that make them even more vulnerable. UNFPA promotes an integrated approach to combating HIV because of this. It involves giving people access to basic services and resources while also working to eradicate all forms of discrimination and hasten the realisation of everyone’s rights in the larger social context.
UNFPA supports the catchphrase “Equalize!” that advocates for a world in which everyone, even those who are most at risk, can take precautions and avoid contracting HIV and other STDs. Everyone should be aware of their right to bodily autonomy as well as its freedom and safety. Regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, sexuality, or sexual behaviour, they should be able to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights.
Despite the fact that the HIV response may be stagnating, we still have the means to advance, including new strategies for prevention and treatment. Use them now while they’re still widely available and affordable. By doing this, we will prevent HIV from spreading further. Additionally, we will achieve societies that value equality, health, and human dignity for all.
