More feature stories on Latin America

CONCACAF and UNAIDS team up to engage football in the response to AIDS
19 April 2013|
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and UNAIDS signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 19 April in Panama City, Panama and agreed to engage football in the AIDS response, particularly among young people.
Honduras reforms its penal code to end human right violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity
05 April 2013|
Honduras is moving a step closer to the UNAIDS vision of ‘zero discrimination’. Its Congress has recently adopted a reform of the Penal Code that will ensure legal protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Massive development gains in the South is improving the economic, social and health prospects for millions, says Human Development Report
14 March 2013|
The world is changing rapidly with developing nations spearheading global economic growth, impressive poverty reduction and the rise of a healthier, better educated middle class, says the UN Development Programme’s (UNDP) Human Development Report 2013.
Carnival queens call on Panamanian young women to take the lead and protect themselves from HIV
18 February 2013|
Last week was Carnival in Panama. As part of the celebrations during 11-12 February, the Queens of “Calle Arriba” and “Calle Abajo” —representing opposite neighbourhoods— competed against each other in a variety of contests. However when it comes to HIV, the two rivals joined forces to prevent new HIV infections among women.
Changes in Peru’s penal code will enable more young people to access HIV services
12 February 2013|
The Constitutional Tribunal of Peru is amending an article in its penal code which for many years had criminalized consensual sexual activity among young people. Sentencing was particularly severe with adolescents facing up to 30 years in prison. Article 173 of the penal code was also preventing young people from accessing essential health and reproductive services for fear of prosecution.
Peru launches campaign to increase HIV testing among men
30 November 2012|
In the lead up to this year’s World AIDS Day, the Ministry of Health of Peru and Asociación Dignidad, in collaboration with UNAIDS and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), launched the campaign “It is better to know: Get an HIV test.” The initiative aims to increase HIV testing coverage in the country, particularly among men, by providing free HIV tests.
UNAIDS and PAHO strengthen collaboration towards putting an end to AIDS in the Americas
09 November 2012|
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé met on 7 November with the recently appointed Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Dr Carissa Etienne at the UNAIDS Headquarters in Geneva to strengthen collaboration towards putting an end to AIDS in the Americas.
Costa Rica to develop HIV strategies to reach male sex workers
06 November 2012|
The Minister of Health of Costa Rica, Dr Daisy Corrales, is strengthening the AIDS response among key populations at higher risk in her country, which is where the epidemic remains concentrated.
Young people living with HIV in Latin America make their voices heard
18 October 2012|
The Network of Positive Youth for Latin America and the Caribbean has launched a regional consultation for young people living with HIV. The aim of the consultation is to obtain information on the realities that young people living with HIV face in their everyday lives in order to develop new and more effective HIV strategies focused on their specific needs.
Ecuadorian government implements social protection policy for children living with HIV
03 October 2012|
The government of Ecuador, under the leadership of President Rafael Correa, recently approved a new public policy aimed at the protection of children living with HIV. The new policy will also complement efforts to eliminate new HIV infections among children in the country.
Regional forum highlights achievements and gaps in HIV responses across Latin America
31 August 2012|
More than 4000 delegates—including government officials, health experts, community leaders, scientists, indigenous populations, youth and people living with HIV—convened from 28-31 August in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for the 6th Latin American and Caribbean Forum on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
UNAIDS welcomes the '(RED) RUSH TO ZERO' campaign
20 August 2012|
Delivering an AIDS-free generation is the goal of a new (RED) campaign unveiled this summer. In partnership with America Móvil, a leading wireless provider in Latin America, the (RED) RUSH TO ZERO campaign aims to raise awareness and mobilize resources to end new HIV infections among children by 2015.
Young volunteers in Honduras strengthen UNAIDS efforts in the response to HIV
14 August 2012|
UNAIDS provides volunteers with technical support for the planning and implementation of community mobilization and outreach activities, as well as a physical space where volunteers can work independently. About 40 young people have taken part in this initiative since 2007, and through their work they have been able to reach young people at a national level.
Panama to sort out challenges in delivering antiretroviral medicines
29 June 2012|
The National AIDS Authority of Panama (CONAVIH) held its quarterly session on 26 June 2012. The meeting reviewed the stock out of antiretroviral (ARV) medicines that has been affecting the country in the past months.
Rio+20: The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
20 June 2012|
The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, also known as Rio+20 will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 20-22 June. The high-level meeting brings together more than 100 Heads of State and government, along with UN officials and representatives of the private sector and civil society to shape new policies to promote prosperity, reduce poverty and advance social equity and environmental protection.
Football World Cup for lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual people gives AIDS the Red Card
19 June 2012|
The game of football has once again scored a goal against HIV at the 2012 International Gay and Lesbian Football Association (IGLFA) World Championship Cup, held in Mexico from 1st to 9th June 2012.
“Making Rights a Reality”: The experiences of organizations of transgender people in the AIDS response
17 May 2012|
In Latin America, transgender people face stigma and discrimination based on their gender identity every day. Such situations limit their access to the education system, job opportunities and health services which, in turn, increase their vulnerability to HIV.
“See to understand”: Human rights, zero discrimination and improved AIDS response
03 May 2012|
In Guatemala, wearing a pair of red glasses has transcended from being a fashion statement to a symbol against stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV. UNAIDS, in partnership with the National Red Cross, launched “See to understand”, a campaign that challenges people to look at the world through red glasses for a new perspective on what it can mean to live with HIV.
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights creates a specialized unit to address human rights of lesbians, gays, bisexual, trans and intersex people
14 March 2012|
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has created a specialized technical unit to strengthen its capacity to protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex (LGBTI) people in the Americas.
Costa Rica: Ambitious youth HIV project reaping results
14 November 2011|
José is one of more than 80 young peer educators spreading HIV prevention and healthy lifestyle messages in a bold project targeting two of Costa Rica’s key cities.

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21 March 2013

UNAIDS welcomes UK’s strong commitment to development aid . More

20 March 2013

UNAIDS calls for Zero parallel systems for HIV and TB. More

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