Latin America

Ecuadorian children attending school

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.

The policy states a monthly distribution of a cash transfer, using public health structures, to the caregivers of children under the age of 14 living with HIV. The government estimates that in the first year, caregivers of 500 children will fulfill the criteria to receive the cash transfer.

Vice-President Lenin Moreno, who initiated the proposal of the new policy said: “With this programme we are setting a milestone for social protection in Latin America. The cash transfers give children living with HIV continued access to treatment, which will improve their health and ensure that they are able to move forward with their lives.”

The value of the grant is a monthly allocation of US$ 240 and it has to be used by caregivers in order to improve living conditions of the children, reversing malnutrition and expanding their access to education, health and HIV related services. The transfer is conditional to the children’s attendance to school and regular health check‐ups.

“UNAIDS salutes this important initiative, which is a benchmark for other countries in the social protection of children and families affected by HIV," said César A. Núñez, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America.

The Ministry of Health and local hospitals together with community based organizations and civil society networks will identify eligible children, ensure proper coverage of HIV treatment and monitor the children’s regular attendance to health facilities. The Ministry of Social and Economic Inclusion (MIES) will oversee the implementation of the policy, together with the Council for Children and Adolescents—a government body specialized in children’s related affairs. Finally, the Vice-President’s Department of Social Services will supervise the children’s school attendance and, through home visits, will help guarantee the improvement of the children’s living conditions, both in their homes with their families and in a wider social context.

Information sessions are being organized by the Ministry of Health, jointly with the Vice-presidency to explain how the policy works for the children’s caregivers. Staff in health facilities is also being trained on how to implement the programme effectively. Guayaquil, one of the regions where the policy was introduced, recently hosted a meeting to provide information and training for health service coordinators and staff. “For the first time in Ecuador, health and the HIV response are linked to a social protection policy. It is a comprehensive approach for social care of children living with HIV, which includes health, nutrition, education and protection,” stresses Juan Vasconez, UNAIDS Country Coordinator for Ecuador.

Steady progress in access to HIV services

Ecuador is one of the Latin American countries which is showing steady progress in the scale up of antiretroviral treatment for people living with HIV as well as the provision of services to stop new HIV infections among children. In 2011, 67% of people living with HIV in need of HIV treatment were accessing it, compared to 39% in 2009.  Furthermore, 85% of the resources needed to provide HIV treatment originates from national sources.

L to R: UNAIDS Country Coordinator for Ecuador, Juan Vasconez, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America, César A. Núñez, and Vice-President of Ecuador, Lenin Moreno.

In 2001, a health service policy was introduced to ensure that pregnant women living with HIV have access to pre- and post-natal check-ups and are able to give birth in a healthcare setting. Campaigns to encourage pregnant women to take an HIV test are carried out on a regular basis and have proven successful in recent years.  In 2011, 279 064 pregnant women were tested (78% of all pregnant women). 684 of them were diagnosed as HIV positive.  Of this group, 95% of pregnant women living with HIV received HIV treatment to prevent HIV infection to their children. In 2011, a registered 30 children were born with HIV in Ecuador.

“Such high political support at the presidential level for the elimination of new HIV infections among children in Ecuador is leading the country towards achieving the UNAIDS goal of zero new HIV infections among children by 2015,” highlighted Mr Vasconez.

Panelists in the opening ceremony of the 6th Latin American and Caribbean Forum on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections, including Dr Luiz Loures of UNAIDS (pictured second from right). Credit: UNAIDS

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).

Hosted by the Government of Brazil in collaboration with the Horizontal Technical Cooperation Group, PAHO, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF and civil society regional networks, the forum provided an opportunity to take stock of progress, challenges and lessons learned in HIV responses across the region. Participants engaged on a range of issues, from AIDS financing and new HIV prevention technologies to strategies for closing treatment access gaps.

Brazil widens treatment access

As delegates gathered in Sao Paulo, Brazil’s Ministry of Health announced that it will expand its national AIDS treatment programme to include at least 35 000 more people. Brazil currently provides free antiretroviral treatment to 223 000 people living with HIV—a coverage of 69%—according to government estimates.

Prior to this week’s announcement, Brazilians with a CD4 count of 350 cells per cubic millimeter were eligible for antiretroviral treatment. Under Brazil’s new policy, treatment eligibility will start at an earlier stage of HIV infection—at a CD4 count of 500. In a statement issued on 28 August, Brazil’s Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha, explained that this decision was based on recent studies that have shown improvement in the quality of life of people living with HIV and a reduction of adverse effects in the immediate and long term.

“Brazil’s AIDS programme sets an example not only for Latin America, but for the world,” said Dr Luiz Loures, Director of the UNAIDS Political and Public Affairs branch and a participant in the opening ceremony of the forum. He noted that Brazil’s decision to provide earlier treatment for people living with HIV may trigger a “snowball effect” and influence health policies in other countries around the world.

Progress and gaps

Many other countries in Latin America have scaled up access to HIV treatment in recent years. According to the latest data from UNAIDS, an estimated 70% of people eligible for antiretroviral treatment in the region were receiving it at the end of 2011. Wide access to treatment has helped reduce the annual number of AIDS-related deaths: from 63 000 a decade ago to 57 000 in 2011.

Despite progress, key populations across the region, particularly men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people, continue to be disproportionately impacted by the epidemic and have limited access to HIV prevention and treatment services—a message that resonated throughout the forum in Sao Paulo.

An estimated half of all HIV infections in Latin America result from unprotected sex between men. According to national estimates, the reported HIV prevalence among transgender people in Argentina (34%) and Peru (20.8%) stands in sharp contrast to that of the general population: 0.4% and 0.23% in these two countries, respectively.

“AIDS is no longer seen as a major problem, especially in Latin America, where we have high treatment coverage,” noted Violeta Ross, Co-founder and Chair of the Bolivian Network of People with HIV and AIDS, in an article posted on the Brazilian Ministry of Health web site. “But the data are misleading because treatment is expensive. Several countries still have enormous difficulties in ensuring access for everyone," she added.

Voices of civil society

More than 4000 delegates convened at the forum in Sao Paulo from 28-31 August. Credit: UNAIDS

Advocates at the forum emphasized the importance of community mobilization in accelerating HIV responses among vulnerable populations. “Evidence-based strategies presented at the forum show that strengthening community work—including among sexual minorities—can transform national HIV responses,” said Simon Cazal, Executive Director of Somosgay, an organization that works to promote the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and inter-sex (LGBTI) people. “The LGBTI movement has set priorities, giving rise to stronger activism. We have shown that with few resources, we can accomplish a lot if we are strategic and if we work alongside communities.”

Many delegates underscored the need to bridge the AIDS response with other social movements. "We have to evolve. We cannot just fight for more condoms and medicines,” said activist Enrique Chaves, Director of Advocacy for the non-profit organization AID for AIDS International. “We must acknowledge that the struggle for access to health and HIV services is also a matter of access to employment, housing and education. We have to connect our agenda with the broader agenda of development, the struggle for social justice,” he added.

www.joinred.com

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.

Through the campaign, launched in June 2012, funds generated by the sale of wireless products with (Telcel)^RED and (Claro)^RED branding—two America Móvil networks—will benefit programs supported by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria that prevent new HIV infections among children in Latin America and Africa. America Móvil has committed an annual contribution of up to US $2 million to the AIDS response from 2012 to 2015 through the support of all America Móvil subsidiaries and other Grupo Carso companies, as well as the Carlos Slim Foundation.

According to the latest data from UNAIDS, an estimated 40,000 children were living with HIV in Latin America in 2011. That same year, some 2,000 children in the region were newly infected with HIV.

“UNAIDS salutes the (RED) campaign and its partners for this important initiative,” said Dr César Núñez, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America. “(RED) RUSH TO ZERO has helped bring us one step closer to our common goal of zero new HIV infections among children.”

(RED) campaign

Since 2006, (RED) has engaged businesses and consumers in the global HIV response raising, to date, more than US $190 million in partnership with globally-recognized brands. For each product sold, (RED) partners contribute up to 50% of profits toward the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Through the new campaign in Latin America, (Telcel)^RED and (Claro)^RED products will be displayed in Claro and Telcel stores throughout Latin America. Customers will be informed about how the campaign works and how they can help bring an end to AIDS.

UNAIDS country coordinator for Honduras Alberto Stella (left) with two volunteers during an outreach activity in Tegucigalpa during World AIDS Day 2011.

In 2007, UNAIDS helped youth participation in the national response to AIDS in Honduras with the creation of the UNAIDS Network of Young Volunteers. Members of the network are young people who are committed to changing the course of the epidemic in the country. The network works in partnership with the United Nations Volunteer Programme, local community-based organizations, and civil society.

“We believe that meaningful youth participation is crucial to a prevention revolution and to increasing HIV awareness among young people in Honduras,” says Alberto Stella, UNAIDS Country Coordinator for Honduras.

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.

¨We built an information-sharing mechanism between UNAIDS and young people through social media and the UNAIDS website”, explains Edgardo Benítez, a volunteer with the network. “We felt that there was a lot of available information but no easy access to it. Through social media we regularly share key documents, announcements and updates”.

The Network also coordinates a documentation centre in the UNAIDS office, which has national and international publications on HIV and related issues, and is used frequently by young people for academic research.

UNAIDS organizes regular training for volunteers in HIV prevention, human rights, and related issues. This enables them to share their knowledge with their peers. The Network of Young Volunteers has partnered with universities and high schools to conduct workshops in urban and rural areas.

Outreach activity at a public school in Olanchito, a province in northern Honduras.

“In rural areas, most people still hold taboos and myths about HIV”, explains Sheila Serón, who has been an active volunteer since 2007. “While volunteering with the network I had the chance to inform girls that they could avoid HIV infection by using condoms in a correct and consistent manner, as well as emphasize the importance of taking an HIV test”.

The network also coordinates outreach activities to encourage young people’s participation. In the last two years volunteers have organized movie forums at which young people debate issues such as social inequalities, stigma and discrimination in relation to HIV. Such activities have become a common platform for young people to interact in a friendly environment and participate in discussions. In 2011 the Network used social media to mobilize young people to participate in a photo art competition to show the link between HIV and human rights. The best photographs became part of a travelling photo exhibition and toured several cities in Honduras. This initiative was supported by the Casas de la Cultura (Institutions of Culture).

Young people have become major actors in their own response. The network supported UNAIDS and other partners in the organization and follow-up of key national events, including a wide range of activities during World Aids Day in 2010 and 2011, which were planned in partnership with the Ministry of Health, civil society organizations and people living with HIV.

Network volunteers come from a broad range of cultural, social and geographical backgrounds and reflect the diversity of Honduran society. Volunteers are encouraged to visit civil society and community-based organizations. Marianela Muñoz spent one month in a community-based organization caring for AIDS-orphaned children. “With this experience I got a glimpse of the actions I want to take to help my country”, she says.

Young people have become major actors in their own response. Volunteers engaged with mime artists in the streets of the capital city showing messages related to HIV during World AIDS Day 2010.

“Taking part in the UNAIDS Volunteer Network has opened my mind to the fact that we all have the right to be healthy, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or religion, and that HIV should not be a reason to stigmatize or discriminate others. I have learned so much alongside my fellow volunteers at UNAIDS; now I am informed and empowered”, says Violeta Mora, another volunteer with the network.

In 2011, the programme was awarded the National Cultural Volunteer Award by The Ministry of Culture, The Spanish Embassy in Honduras, UNDP and UNV for its outstanding work as a young volunteer organization that promotes social development.

The First Lady of Panama and Chair of the CONAVIH, Ms Marta Linares De Martinelli and UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Programmes, Dr Paul De Lay. Panama City, Panama. 28 June 2012.
Credit: UNAIDS

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.

The First Lady of Panama and Chair of the CONAVIH, Ms Marta Linares De Martinelli highlighted the need for all partners involved in the national AIDS response to undertake the necessary actions to provide ARV medications regularly and permanently. “It is a matter of life or death,” Ms Linares stressed.   

The meeting brought together high level government representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education as well as civil society leaders and people living with HIV. UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Programmes, Dr Paul De Lay participated in the session at the special invitation from the First Lady.

Dr De Lay commended the authorities on the progress made in scaling up access to antiretroviral treatment but also stressed the need to identify new mechanisms for the distribution of ARVs to avoid stock outs in the future. “Timely and uninterrupted provision of medications to people living with HIV is a matter of commitment to human rights” affirmed Dr De Lay.

The ARV stock outs that occurred in the country were attributed to delays in the ARV purchase due to complex institutional regulations. Participants at the meeting agreed to establish a coordinating committee to identify existing barriers to purchase and provide ARVs. This committee will include representatives from civil society, pharmacists and physicians from health service institutions.

The need for a more precise calculation of annual ARV requirements was also seen as key to avoid stock outs together with a faster process for import, legalization and distribution of medications to the 15 local health facilities where people living with HIV are attended. Currently there are around 11 000 people living with HIV in Panama of which 6 000 are receiving ARV treatment.

Eliminating new HIV infections among children

Dr De Lay congratulated the First Lady´s leadership in the implementation of the national strategy to eliminate new HIV infections among children and keeping their mothers alive. "This country may be one of the first countries in Latin America to achieve the goal of zero new HIV infections among children by 2015," expressed Dr De Lay. “Panama has everything that’s needed to reach this goal even ahead of 2015. However, it is still necessary to expand the current 76% coverage of HIV testing to all pregnant women, especially in rural areas" he added.

The First Lady stressed her commitment as the Chairperson of the National AIDS Commission to scale up the coverage of prevention of mother-to-child transmission services to all women in need throughout the country. “We will increase our efforts in order to achieve the target of zero new HIV infections among children.” concluded the First Lady.

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.

This year’s event marks the 20^th anniversary of the historic 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) that was held in the same city and the 10th anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg. The conference is organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

“Rio+20 is about building a future we want, it’s about shared aspirations,” said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon speaking ahead of the conference. Rio+20 is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to make real progress,” he added.

The Conference will focus on two themes: a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication; and the institutional framework for sustainable development. It will also focus on seven priority areas: decent jobs, energy, sustainable cities, food security and sustainable agriculture, water, oceans and disaster readiness.

Ahead of the conference, Member States announced that they have reached an agreement on the outcome document of the Conference. “We now have a text which will be adopted at the Conference,” said Rio+20’s Secretary-General, Sha Zukang . “We think the text contains a lot of action, and if this action is implemented, and if follow-up measures are taken, it will indeed make a tremendous difference in generating positive global change.”

Sustainable Development and AIDS

The Rio+20 outcome document states Member States’ commitment to redoubling efforts to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, and to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

“The global AIDS response has served as a pathfinder and an entry point for inclusive growth, social justice and the restoration of human dignity,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. “The AIDS movement demonstrates that through strategic partnerships, even complex and enduring barriers to development can be effectively surmounted,” he added.

According to UNAIDS, there can be no sustainable development without health, human rights and gender equality.

Team captains participating in the Mexican World Cup signing the pledge to support the UNAIDS campaign “Give AIDS the Red Card”. Credit: UNAIDS

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.

At the tournament, footballers from 8 teams representing the Americas, Europe and Oceania joined the UNAIDS’ campaign “Give AIDS the Red Card” to promote HIV prevention and take a stand against stigma and discrimination.

“We are proud to stand together with UNAIDS and its partners to give AIDS the red card,” said Andoni Bello Lanestosa, captain of the Mexican team. “We can make change happen. We can help reduce HIV transmission by 50% and end violence and discrimination,” he added.

The Latin America region shows an unfortunate record in terms of human rights violations against lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual (LGTB) people due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. LGTB people face a serious problem of stigma and discrimination that limit their access to health services, education and judicial systems and job opportunities and increases their vulnerability to HIV.

“Experience shows that when people are stigmatized for their sexual orientation or gender identity, they are less likely to access health services and information on HIV prevention,” stressed César A. Núñez, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America. “Studies in Latin America show HIV prevalence rates around 10% among men who have sex with men. Among transgender population, HIV prevalence is even higher, between 20 and 28%,” he added.

Two years ago at the FIFA 2010 World Cup held in South Africa, UNAIDS launched the “Give AIDS the Red Card” campaign using the power and outreach of football to unite the world around stopping new HIV infections in children. In this occasion, the campaign, which is based on “Give AIDS the Red Card”, uses the tournament to raise awareness on the HIV prevention needs of the LGTB community.

All team captains participating in the Mexican World Cup signed the pledge to support the UNAIDS campaign. By signing the pledge, the delegations agree to spread the message of the campaign upon return to their respective countries. Along with the team captains, representatives of the International Association of Gay Referees and IGLFA Latin America also endorsed the initiative and signed the pledge.

Football players from the Argentinean and Mexican teams collaborated with the campaign from the beginning. They appeared on posters and advertisement billboards used before and during the ILGFA World Cup. “Sports stars can play an important role in the AIDS response by talking openly about HIV,” said Rubén Mayorga, UNAIDS Country Coordinator for Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile. “Football players who join the campaign can inspire people to learn the facts about AIDS, to protect themselves and to fight stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and LGBT persons.”

The International Gay and Lesbian Football Association (IGLFA) was founded in 1992 and after 20 years, over 80 teams from more than 20 countries from all over the world have become part of this organization.

Transgender people in Argentina advocating for the passing of the gender identity law.

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.

However, the commitment and mobilization power of the transgender community have achieved important political and social changes leading to a more pluralistic and democratic society based on the respect for diversity. Some of these achievements have been compiled in "Making Rights a Reality. The experiences of organizations of transgender people" launched on 17 May on the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

Produced by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, the Latin American and Caribbean Transgender Network (REDLACTRANS) and UNAIDS, the report is a compilation of six case studies. It focuses on the efforts made by transgender organizations in Latin America to achieve an inclusive society based on respect for human rights.

“This work reflects the needs of transgender people in the Latin American context, while highlighting their leadership and how it led to significant political and institutional changes,” said Cesar Nuñez, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America. “Only through participation and leadership of transgender people in identifying strategies to protect and guarantee their human rights we can reach a world with zero discrimination,” he added.

Progress has been made in Argentina and Uruguay regarding the legal recognition of human rights of transgender people, the report highlights. In the first case, the passing of a gender identity law confirmed transgender people as full citizens in the eyes of the law. In Uruguay, through a government decree, sex work has been formalized and legalized. Now sex workers are entitled to health insurance, retirement and other benefits.

In Argentina, the transgender organization ATTTA played a key advocacy role in the recent passing of the law on gender identity. “With this law we are claiming our right to identity. We will no more be forgotten by democracy. With this law we are here to make history,” said Marcela Romero, President of ATTTA and Coordinator of REDLACTRANS.

In Honduras and Bolivia, the publication stresses the achievement of transgender people’s participation in decision-making spaces within key structures of the AIDS response such as the Country Coordination Mechanism for Global Fund grants. In addition, El Salvador and Ecuador led initiatives in the field of comprehensive health which, resulted in the development of national programmes that now meet the specific needs of transgender people.

All of these achievements have one thing in common: the leadership of transgender people to demand and defend their rights.

"This compilation is in itself a valuable tool for advocacy and will increase the knowledge about transgender issues in the region and in the world, allowing decision-makers to improve existing programmes and approaches,” said Javier Hourcade Bellocq, the Latin American and the Caribbean Regional Representative of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance.

Mr Bellocq stressed that the leadership and participation of transgender people are essential to achieving social justice and strengthening the rule of law. “We cannot scale up universal access to HIV services if we do not have a strong regulation in place that recognizes gender identity. We need governments to ensure 'zero tolerance' to violence, abuse and crime," said Mr Bellocq.

See to understand promotes the use of red glasses to make visible the commitment to counter stigma and discrimination related to HIV.

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.

Millions of people still do not know what HIV is, how it is transmitted or how to prevent it. Furthermore, a range of social prejudices result in people living with HIV being frequently subject to discrimination in the workplace and in wider society. UNAIDS Guatemala and the Guatemalan Red Cross felt it was necessary to speak about HIV in order to stop taboos and prejudices.

The new initiative aims to raise awareness about HIV, eliminate stigma and discrimination and contribute to achieving the UNAIDS vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths in Guatemala.

Ver para entender (See to understand) promotes the use of red glasses to make visible the commitment to counter stigma and discrimination related to HIV. According to the campaign, wearing the glasses means prioritizing health over social and cultural norms and supporting people living with and affected by HIV. "‘To see’ means to challenge fear, ignorance, silence and myths that contribute to fuel the stigma and discrimination that jeopardize the progress made in the response to AIDS,” said Enrique Zelaya, UNAIDS Country Coordinator for Guatemala and Mexico.

Participants can support the campaign by taking a picture of themselves wearing a pair of red glasses and encourage others to do the same. So far more than 800 people have joined this initiative including national authorities and people living with HIV. Among them, Luz Lainfiesta Minister of Social Development, Claudia Samayoa Director of the National STD, HIV and AIDS Program and Otoniel Ramirez REDCA + Regional Secretary.

“HIV affects us all and the response requires a comprehensive approach,” said Minister Lainfiesta. “From the Ministry of Social Development we will work to reach the goal of zero discrimination towards people living with HIV.”

The powerful message of the campaign has already expanded beyond Guatemala. During the 19th Session of the Human Rights Council held in Geneva February 2012, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navi Pillay put on the red glasses and urged countries to protect human rights and work towards the elimination of the stigma and discrimination affecting people living with HIV.

The campaign will undertake additional activities to raise awareness about HIV-related stigma and discrimination including the broadcast of radio messages and the organization of social mobilization activities such as discussion forums, surveys and community arts competitions on HIV. 

Prevailing stigma and discrimination

An estimated 65 000 people are living with HIV in the Guatemala. There are more than 20 people becoming newly infected every day amounting around 7 500 new HIV infections each year. The HIV epidemic in the country remains concentrated among key populations at higher risk such as sex workers and their clients and men who have sex with men. Discrimination against these affected populations is also very high in the country making it more difficult for them to access HIV services.

According to the first national human rights report, between 2009 – 2010 there were 313 complaints to the national attorney and civil society organizations of which 46% related to violations of the right to health and 13% to the right to life and integrity. Such violations ranged from shortages of antiretroviral medicines to lack of adequate and friendly health facilities and personnel.

The transgender organization OTRANS stressed in the report that transgender people had limited access to employment because of stigma and discrimination. OTRANS also reported cases of physical aggressions, disappearances and deaths because of gender identity. According to the organization, 13 deaths and 3 disappearances were reported from 2007 to 2011.

"Since the beginning of the epidemic, stigma and discrimination have been identified as the main obstacle to an effective HIV response,” said Cesar Núñez, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America. “Discrimination related to HIV is itself a violation of human rights, and, in turn, implies the violation of other rights, including the right to health, education, dignity and equality before the law," he added.

The HIV epidemic in Latin America is mainly concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender persons.
Credit: UNAIDS

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.

The IACHR is an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), with a mandate to promote respect for human rights in the region and act as a consultative body to the OAS in this matter.

The specialized unit, created in January 2012, is part of IACHR’s comprehensive approach to promoting the interdependence and indivisibility of all human rights. It takes into account the specific needs of individuals and groups which have been historically the focus of discrimination. Among its functions, the unit analyzes and investigates individual petitions in which violations of human rights of LGBTI are alleged to have been committed by Member States of the OAS.

The HIV epidemic in Latin America is mainly concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender persons. The latter group has reported HIV prevalence rates of 27.6% in Argentina and of 29.6% in Peru in contrast to an estimated HIV prevalence among the general population of 0.5% and 0.4% in both countries respectively.

In addition, the region has experienced an alarming increase in violence and intimidation towards transgender people and MSM. The Inter-American Commission has received information about murders, rapes, and threats against LGBTI people. The Commission agrees that LGBTI persons face serious discrimination both at social and legal level.

UNAIDS has been working closely with the IACHR in recent years. “UNAIDS and the Inter-American Commission established a strategic alliance, based on a set of actions aimed at achieving zero discrimination and violence, with a human rights approach,” commented Víctor Madrigal-Borloz, Principal Specialist at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

The UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America Dr César Núñez commended the creation of such a specialized unit. He called upon all countries in the region to fully respect the human rights of men who have sex with men, lesbians and transgender people through “enforcing laws to protect them from violence, promoting campaigns that address homophobia and transphobia and ensuring that crucial health needs are met.”

Expert meeting on violence and impunity against LGBTI people

At the end of February 2012 and under the auspices of UNAIDS, the Commission brought together more than 20 independent experts from academia, human rights institutions, civil society, representatives of security forces, the UN and the IACHR to discuss issues around “violence and impunity against lesbians, gays, trans, bisexual and intersex people”.

The expert meeting was the second of six meetings that will contribute to the first ever Hemispheric Report on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Marcela Romero from REDLACTRANS participated in the meeting and highlighted that “trans people, trans women and men in the Americas face social exclusion that keeps them away from health care, employment and justice, increasing their vulnerability to HIV and human rights violations.”

In 2013, the Commission will evaluate the unit's work and will decide whether to create an Office of the Rapporteur on the Rights of LGBTI Persons.