As the world continues to battle the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is important not to forget the other public health crisis that has been affecting millions of people for decades – HIV/AIDS. Ahead of World AIDS Day 2024, UNAIDS has released a report urging leaders to take the rights path to end AIDS by 2030.
Titled ‘Take the rights path to end AIDS,’ the report highlights the progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS and the challenges that still remain. While it acknowledges that the world is on track to meet the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, it also stresses the critical role of protecting the human rights of those living with and at risk of HIV.
Since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, there have been immense efforts to find a cure and ensure access to treatment for those infected. However, alongside this medical response, there is a need to address the underlying human rights issues that fuel the spread of the disease.
One of the major barriers to ending AIDS is stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. This not only makes it difficult for them to access necessary medical care and support but also contributes to the spread of the disease by discouraging people from getting tested and seeking treatment. In order to end AIDS, we must address this problem at its root – by protecting the human rights of all individuals, regardless of their HIV status.
The UNAIDS report emphasizes the need to uphold the right to health for all, which includes access to essential services such as HIV testing, treatment, and prevention. This should be accompanied by measures to combat discrimination, promote education and awareness, and ensure that vulnerable and marginalized populations have equal access to these services.
Another key aspect highlighted in the report is the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls. They account for more than half of the total number of people living with HIV globally, with young women in sub-Saharan Africa being at the highest risk. Addressing gender inequalities, providing access to education and livelihood opportunities, and ensuring sexual and reproductive health rights are all crucial in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Moreover, the report stresses the need for legal and policy reforms to protect the rights of key populations such as men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people, and people who inject drugs. These marginalized groups are often denied access to healthcare and face discrimination, stigma, and violence, making them more vulnerable to HIV.
In addition to these measures, the report also highlights the importance of upholding the right to privacy and ensuring confidentiality in HIV testing and treatment. This is crucial in encouraging people to get tested without fear of discrimination or breaches of their privacy.
As we enter the last decade to achieve the goal of ending AIDS, it is imperative for leaders to take bold and decisive action in protecting the human rights of those living with and at risk of HIV. UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima, rightly states, “The international community has endorsed countless commitments and declarations reaffirming the importance of human rights to ending AIDS. Now we must hold leaders accountable for their promise to deliver on these commitments.”
This report comes at a critical time as the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has highlighted the importance of a rights-based approach in public health. It serves as a reminder that the fight against HIV/AIDS cannot be won without addressing the underlying human rights issues. It is a call to action for governments, policymakers, and individuals to uphold the rights of all and work towards a future without AIDS.
As we mark World AIDS Day 2024, let us recommit ourselves to the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Let us advocate for the protection of human rights for all, especially for those living with and affected by HIV. Only by taking the rights path can we truly achieve an AIDS-free world.
