UNFPA The United Nations Population Fund

The State of World Population report highlights the importance of investing in young people and addressing their needs.

Within a matter of days, the world’s population is projected to reach 7 billion. This represents both a great challenge and a great opportunity. We can achieve a healthy and sustainable future for all if we act decisively now, according to the State of World Population Report 2011, published today by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

One of the calls to action in People and possibilities in a world of 7 billion, launched in more than 100 cities worldwide, is making sure that the needs of young people are addressed more effectively and that investing in their future is given a higher priority.

At the report’s launch in London, UNFPA Executive Director Dr Babatunde Osotimehin highlighted that reaching the world’s 1.8 billion people aged 10 to 24 is critical. “Young people hold the key to the future, with the potential to transform the global political landscape and to propel economies through their creativity and capacities for innovation,” said Dr Osotimehin. “But the opportunity to realize youth’s great potential must be seized now. We should be investing in the health and education of our youth. This would yield enormous returns in economic growth and development for generations to come,” he added.

Dr Osotimehin also noted that millions of adolescents in the developing world have little or no access to sexuality education and do not have sufficient knowledge to prevent pregnancies and protect themselves against HIV.

The report, which concentrates on individuals, organisations and communities working to improve conditions for themselves and those around them, shows a number of young people who are making a real difference.

In a chapter which describes youth as a “new global power reshaping the world”, Ethel Phiri is introduced as a 22-year old peer educator involved in youth outreach programmes in Mozambique. She runs bancadas femininas, discussion groups at schools, markets and other community areas around Maputo supporting young people with issues relating to sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention.

People and possibilities in a world of 7 billion focuses on a wide range of population trends and their implications. It examines ageing populations, high rates of urbanization, poverty and inequality, environmental sustainability and rising international migration in a variety of countries with different contexts.

Although different countries are dealing with different challenges, the report maintains that the world must pull together to effect real and lasting change. “We all have a stake in the future of humanity,” stressed Dr Osotimehin. “Every individual, every government, every business, is more interconnected and interdependent than ever, so what each of us does now will matter to all of us long into the future. Together we can change and improve the world.”

The 7 Billion Actions campaign is intended to act as a rallying point for collective action to improve life for present and future generations.

By the end of this year there will be 7 billion people on the planet. To mark this global milestone, which represents both significant opportunities and challenges, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and its partners have launched an innovative campaign.

Called 7 Billion Actions, the platform is designed to promote a healthy and sustainable world. It brings together a wide range of UN bodies, including UNAIDS, governments, businesses, NGOs, academics, media practitioners, grass roots organizations and individuals. The campaign, according to UNFPA, will act as a rallying point for collective action to improve life for present and future generations.

According to UNFPA Executive Director Dr Babatunde Osotimehin the campaign aims to realize untapped potential, “It is about embracing the dignity and human rights of every individual. We need to create conditions for each one of us to live on a healthy planet, so we can all reach our full potential. In a world of 7 billion people, we need to count on each other.”

On September 14 the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, will host an interactive discussion for its official launch. The event will be live streamed and participants from around the world can be part of the global conversation through questions and comments. The campaign’s key launch activities will take place in September and October, culminating in 7 Billion Day on 31 October.  

There are a number of thematic areas that the 7 Billion Actions will address. These include: breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality; promoting the empowerment of women and young people and reproductive health and rights; and focusing on the environment, ageing populations and urbanization.

“This inspirational campaign connects people, ideas and actions. UNAIDS looks forward to joining the effort to ensure all voices are heard as we reach this important milestone,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé.

The challenge to HIV is a critical component of several themes. Greater empowerment of women and girls will have an impact on the AIDS epidemic. For example, many women are subjected to gender-based violence and this may severely hamper their ability to protect themselves against HIV. In the area of the right to an education; increasing girls’ access to schooling has been seen as a ‘social vaccine’ against the virus.

Dealing with HIV and maternal and reproductive health and rights in an integrated way also makes for stronger and more effective service provision. Where HIV testing, eliminating new HIV infections among children, access to condoms, contraception and correct information are all ‘under one roof’ women are more likely to stay healthy.  AIDS is still the leading cause of death and disease among women of child-bearing age in low- and middle-income countries.

How to support the initiative

In practical terms, support for the initiative can be shown in a number of ways. For instance, its main messages can be integrated into partners’ programme development; a commitment to the platform championed in statements and public appearances; financial contributions made on individual and corporate levels, and projects, work and best practices shared using the 7 Billion Actions online tools, such as the global website, Twitter and Facebook. 

According to the campaign, it is possible to not only build on the work of UN bodies, companies and NGOs, but also on the efforts of individuals: in a world of 7 billion people, incremental actions can create exponential results.

For more information on how to become part of the campaign visit:
www.7billionactions.org

Michel Sidibé UNAIDS Executive Director and young mentees engage in discussion during the launch of the NewGen Aisa initiative.
Credit: UNAIDS/Kim

Across the Asia and Pacific region an estimated half a million young people aged 15-24 are living with HIV. A significant number of all new infections in the region are among young key populations including sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people and young people who inject drugs.

To ensure that people who need HIV services are reached, young people require a strong voice and increased representation in the AIDS response. An initiative called New Generation (NewGen) Asia aims to develop the capacity of the next generation of young leaders from key populations to make their voices heard.

Launched on 27 August at the 10th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific in Busan, Republic of Korea, the NewGen programme, spearheaded by the Asia-Pacific Inter-Agency Task Team for Young Key Affected Populations, stepped up a gear with an event which showcased the NewGen Mentoring Young Leaders Programme and the official launch of a new leadership course.

“You are not just the leaders of tomorrow, you are the leaders of today,” said UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé at the launch. “Leadership is about commitment, courage and confronting what is wrong. With your energy we can build a better world.”

The NewGen Asia event involved a long table lunch which brought together 30 high-level mentors and the new young leaders, predominantly from key populations, whom the mentors will encourage and support.  The mentors are drawn from a diverse range of backgrounds, such as civil society, the United Nations, government and young people who already have strong leadership experience. They include among others Ursula Schaefer-Preuss, Vice President of the Asian Development Bank, Khartini Slamah, Chair of the Asia-Pacific Transgender Network and Jimmy Dorabjee of the Asian Network of People who Use Drugs.

A two-way learning and sharing exercise

“I believe NewGen mentoring component is a very important initiative to help stimulate dialogue between young leaders from key populations, who are often stigmatized or in difficult circumstances, and mentors who can help provide vision and leadership,” said mentor Ursula Schaeffer-Preuss, Vice President of the Asian Development Bank.

Gerard Ompad, a young mentee with experience in HIV prevention, thinks the NewGen Asia initiative will help him become a more effective champion of the needs and concerns of his community. “I’m very pleased to be part of this initiative. The training will empower us as young people from key affected communities to become real leaders and develop our advocacy skills. Youth ownership and leadership of the AIDS response is critical and this is a significant step forward for the region,” he said.

During the lively lunch, mentors and mentees discussed their expectations and planned various activities over the coming year. It was generally agreed that it would be a two-way learning and sharing exercise.

Five day leadership course

The event also provided an opportunity for the launch of a five day leadership course for young people from key affected populations and those working with them. The programme has been developed and delivered by a team of technical experts from Youth LEAD, a regional network of groups committed to advancing HIV prevention. Youth LEAD members are also heavily involved in the mentoring programme in collaboration with academic experts and UN partners. 

The course will include information on HIV and key affected populations and will have a special focus on skills-based training, including advocacy, communication and leadership.

In a further commitment to championing youth engagement in the AIDS response, Youth LEAD, in collaboration with the HIV Young Leaders Fund also launched a request for youth lead initiatives working to address the needs of those most affected by HIV in Southeast Asia and the Pacific for its 2011-2012 funding round.

It is hoped that the multi-pronged NewGen Asia initiative will reap clear benefits in increasing the effective engagement of key communities which are bearing the brunt of the AIDS epidemic in the region.

Anupama Rao Singh, UNICEF's Director of East Asia and the Pacific Region commented on the importance of the NewGen initiative:

“Young people most affected by the AIDS epidemic are at the heart of prevention revolution in Asia and the Pacific. The NewGen Asia initiative, with support from the regional inter-agency task team, will build young people's leadership to advocate policies and programmes that concern them and prepare a new generation of change agents for the region's AIDS response.”

Cover of the UNFPA report: HIV prevention gains momentum: Successes in female condom programming.
Credit cover photo: Jack Hollingsworth/Blend

Ensuring that high quality condoms are widely available, either free or at an affordable price, is fundamental to a pragmatic and effective AIDS response. In a recently published report, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) focuses on the increasing use of female condoms and highlights how millions of women around the world are now using this method to protect themselves against HIV.

HIV prevention that women can control

Titled HIV prevention gains momentum: Successes in female condom programming, the report looks at the issue through the prism of national case studies. These pinpoint how a variety of partners have come together, pooling ideas, expertise and resources, to empower women to access female condoms. This is crucial as HIV is the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age worldwide, and in sub-Saharan Africa 60 percent of all people living with HIV are female.  

“Girls and women remain vulnerable to HIV and we have to summon the courage and political will to empower and protect them,” said Dr Babatunde Osotimehin, UNFPA’s Executive Director, quoted in the report’s foreword. “We have to invest in practical tools that women can use to protect themselves, such as the female condom,” he added.

Concerted efforts appear to have an impact: the report states that access to female condoms has increased dramatically over the last few years, with 50 million used in 2009. Today condoms are available in more than 90 countries through public health programmes. However, availability and price remain issues as the female condom can cost as much as one US dollar per unit and, despite considerable progress made, in 2009 only one female condom was available for every 36 women worldwide.

Stories highlighted in Successes in female condom programming range from coffee ceremonies in Ethiopia where married women help each other break taboos surrounding condoms, to networks of hairdressers and small businesspeople in Guyana, Malawi and Zimbabwe encouraging their clients to use them.

Innovative distribution outlets

For example, Langton Ziromba owns a small barbershop in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, and in addition to giving haircuts and shaves he also promotes and sells female condoms to his male customers. Mr Ziromba is one of around 70 barbers and 2000 hairdressers in the country trained by Population Services International (PSI), a UNFPA partner. Such activity, the report outlines, has contributed towards the growth in sales of female condoms through social marketing and public sector programmes from one million in 2005 to more than five million in 2009.

Other countries, such as Myanmar, have focused on key populations like sex workers and men who have sex with men. In 2006 UNFPA entered into an agreement with the Myanmar government and PSI to provide 700,000 female condoms to these groups over a three year period. According to the report, progress was “remarkable” and in the first year of the initiative use of female condoms among sex workers nearly doubled from 20 percent in 2004 to 36 percent in 2006.

Building national capacity for programming

The publication also draws attention to the push to increase the capacity of national governments and their partners to implement comprehensive condom programming, of which female condoms are an integral part, with a view to outside assistance eventually being phased out.  

Since 2002 UNFPA has been the lead agency for the UN Inter-Agency Task Team on Comprehensive Condom Programming and plays a key role in discussions on funding, technical assistance and regional and global support. It also works with governments and partners to stimulate demand and facilitate the design and implementation of culturally appropriate condom programming so that individuals around the world are empowered to protect themselves against HIV.

Young leaders and government policy-makers discussing commitments made regarding young people and the AIDS response. UN HQ, New York. 26 July 2011.
Credit: UNFPA

A new report highlights that global commitments will be achieved only if the unique needs of young women and men are acknowledged and their human rights fulfilled, respected, and protected.

The Global Inter-Agency Task Team on HIV and Young People launched the synthesis report entitled Securing the Future Today containing strategic information about HIV and young people. The report was launched at an event organized by UNAIDS on the sidelines of the United Nations High-level Meeting on Youth which took place in New York from 25-26 July under the theme “Youth: Dialogue and mutual understanding”.

The side event, convened in collaboration with UNFPA, ILO, Global Youth Coalition on HV/AIDS, Population Council and Catholic Relief Services, brought together young leaders and government policy-makers to discuss commitments made regarding young people and the AIDS response. Participants looked for solutions to reach a shared vision of “Zero new HIV infections, Zero discrimination and Zero AIDS-related deaths” among young people.

In order to reduce new HIV infections among young people, achieve the broader equity goals set out in the MDGs and begin to reverse the epidemic, HIV prevention and treatment efforts must be tailored to the specific needs of young people.

Recent epidemiology data from UNAIDS indicates that young people are leading the HIV prevention revolution by taking action to protect themselves from HIV. Young people’s sexual behaviors are changing and HIV prevalence among young people is dropping in 15 of the 21 countries most affected by HIV. However, in 2009, young people accounted for 41% of all new HIV infections among adults with 3 000 young people becoming newly infected with HIV each day. Also in 2009, 4.9 million young women and men were living with HIV worldwide.

The report highlights that young people are a key resource to reverse the global AIDS epidemic and lead the response in decades to come. But it stresses that the legal and policy barriers that prevent young people from accessing HIV services must be addressed, and young people should be engaged more effectively in the response.

In that sense, the side-event provided a platform for young people to have a direct dialogue with national Governments in order to encourage the scale up of HIV prevention and treatment services for young people as well as the active involvement and leadership of young people, including those living with HIV, in the AIDS response at all levels.

According to the new report, to effectively advance the response among young people, there is a need to increase investments. However, it also cautions that simply directing more resources will not increase HIV testing and uptake of services among young people. Instead, empowering young people and particularly young women to exercise their rights to sexual and reproductive health, improve programmes for young people and repeal national laws and policies that restrict access to HIV services for young people is required to protect future generations from HIV.

Bishop Yvette Flunder addresses the inter-faith prayer breakfast held at Ford Foundation in New York City on 10 June.
Credit: Barry Mason/EAA

On the closing day of the United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS, faith-leaders came together with people living with HIV, representatives from key populations at higher risk of infection and other partners in the AIDS response to discuss ways to end stigma and to build strong collaborative partnerships for future action at country level. 

The inter-faith prayer breakfast was co-organized by the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA), UNAIDS, and UNFPA in collaboration with other religious organizations and was hosted by the Ford Foundation.

Compassion to end stigma

A wide range of different faith traditions participated in the prayer breakfast meeting. Imam Abdul-Malik Ali, from New Jersey, prayed for all to accept the challenges posed by HIV and the need to overcome stigma.  Rev T.K. Nakagaki, Pastor of the Buddhist Church in America, reminded participants of the importance of respect for life, of remembering lives lost due to AIDS and of our interdependence. Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon originally from Buenos Aries, offered a prayer for people living with HIV who suffer from stigma and discrimination. 

The panellists then presented their thoughts on how to strengthen and build cross sectoral partnerships in the HIV response in order to ensure that universal access becomes a reality for all by 2015.

His Excellency the President of Fiji Mr Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said he was reminded of the Bible teachings, “which point us in the direction of searching out the one individual who is marginalized and reaching out to them with compassion.”

Her Excellency Mrs Callista Mutharika, First Lady of the Republic of Malawi; highlighted the key role of faith based organizations in providing both HIV health care and home-based care services in Malawi. 

Faith leaders play an important in the AIDS response as religious institutions provide upwards of 30% of health care and education services across Africa where the almost 70% of new HIV infections occurred in 2009. Voluntary care workers, many of whom are faith-based, make a significant contribution to human resources in countries on the African continent which is home to around 22.5 million people living with HIV.

Dr Asha-Rose Migiro, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, reminded the audience of faith leaders and others that those from religious institutions can be among the most effective advocates against stigma. "You are natural activists who can change attitudes."

Bishop Yvette Flunder from the USA spoke on how "our healing must be untied from judgement and tied to justice." This statement became the recurring theme of the breakfast. Building on her words, Mr Pablo Torres Aguilera, a 25-year-old youth advocate from Mexico, issued a strong call for action: “It is time to build a bridge between key affected populations and world religious leaders to make sure no one is left behind in the next steps that we all are going to take,” he said.

This was followed by interactive table discussions among participants in which there was consensus on the importance of responses based on compassion and care as powerful methods of eliminating stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV.

(From left) UNAIDS Executive Director Mr Michel Sidibé; His Excellency the President of Fiji Mr Ratu Epeli Nailatikau; UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Management and External Relations Ms Jan Beagle.
Credit: UNAIDS

Echoing Bishop Flunder's words, participants called for HIV responses that are offered in a way that gives dignity to the people who are most marginalized in society. Participants agreed that the specific naming of the key affected populations is important to give someone dignity and respect—be it men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people, people who use drugs or others who face marginalization, stigma and discrimination.

Closing the table discussions co-moderator Bishop Emeritus of Oslo Rev Gunnar Stålsett thanked Mr Torres Aguilera for his remarks, and said: "Thank you for being specific, sometimes we do not dare to mention vulnerable groups by name, you have done that, you have broken the barrier." Co-moderator Rabbi Julie Schonfeld said: "We were blessed with the opportunity to have people of so many faith traditions engaged in dialogue today, with our shared desire to bring HIV deaths to zero"

The breakfast closed with three prayers. Mr Homi D. Gandhi (Zoroastrian Association) offered a prayer for the whole harmony of human kind. Swami Pragyapad from India prayed for protection, nourishment, strength, and that we would not oppose each other. In the closing prayer, the Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky, moderator of Religions for Peace, urged all to "move from words of comfort to courageous action."

Also present at the inter-faith event were Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, Rabbi, Executive Vice President of the Rabbinical Assembly, New York; and Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, President and Chief Imam of the All India Organization of Imams of Mosques, UNAIDS Executive Director Mr Michel Sidibé, Dr Purnima Mane, Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA and Mr Peter Prove, Executive Director of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance.

Thematic panel discussion, “Women, Girls, and HIV”, which focuses on the disproportionate burden of HIV that is carried by women and girls around the world. (Left to right): Stephanie Nolan, journalist at the “Globe and Mail”; Hanno Pevkur, Minister of Social Affairs for Estonia; and Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health for the Republic of South Africa. UN Headquarters in New York, 9 June 2011
Credit: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Women, girls and HIV was the theme of a high level panel which was held at the United Nations on Thursday 9 June. The event, which forms part of the UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS, was chaired by Hanno Pevkur, Minister of Social Affairs, Estonia.

The interactive discussion was moderated by Stephanie Nolen and the high level panel included Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health, Republic of South Africa; Dr Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA, represented the United Nations; and Siphiwe Hlophe, the co-founder of the non-governmental organization Swaziland for Positive Living.

“In 30 years of dealing with HIV,” explained Mr Pevkur, “we have learned that it is as much a social as a medical problem; and the lack of quality of sexual reproductive health and rights services, violence, harmful cultural practices, are fuelling the epidemic.”

To explore the issue, the panellists and speakers from the floor responded to a series of questions and identified strategies that will help the HIV response to spark social transformation for women and girls to secure their human rights and protect themselves against HIV. They discussed ways to ensure that the specific needs and vulnerabilities of women and girls are adequately addressed in the response to HIV.

Unequal opportunities

In many societies, women face barriers in accessing HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services due to limited decision-making power, lack of control over financial resources, restricted mobility and unequal care responsibilities. Lack of education is another major barrier; around two-thirds of the world’s 796 million illiterate adults are women.

“We will not attain a sustainable response if we do not invest in women with education and economic empowerment,” said Ms Hlophe who highlighted need to engage communities including at the rural level so that all women are empowered. There was consensus that comprehensive sexuality education, which includes HIV education, is a key component of effective evidence-informed HIV prevention. Such education should be made available in a non judgemental, youth-friendly way, to adolescents and young people in and out of schools, and must include human rights and gender equality.

Challenge violence against women

One of the event findings was that stopping AIDS requires acting to stop violence against women at every level. “Violence against women is both a cause and a consequence of HIV,” said Minister Pevkur. The participants discussed how to better address the linkages between violence against women and girls and HIV as well as the social determinants that increase their vulnerability to HIV infection.

The risk of HIV among women who have experienced violence may be up to three times higher than those who have not. The prevalence of forced first sex among adolescent girls below 15 years ranges between 11% and 45% globally. Laws and policies that prevent and punish violence against women, including harmful traditional norms, and effective implementation, are paramount the speakers concluded.

Ensure access to comprehensive HIV and sexual and reproductive health services

There were calls for political leaders and stakeholders to champion “women- and girl- tailored” approaches in policy and programming. Another recommendation was the need to ensure that women in all their diversity, including adolescent girls and young women, have access to comprehensive HIV and sexual and reproductive health services, free of violence, discrimination, and coercion.

Uphold women’s human rights

It is crucial for governments to commit to fulfil all women’s human rights, including their sexual and reproductive health and rights. There is an urgent need for a clear target which views women in their entirety, across their lifespan, and not solely as mothers.

Invest in women and girls                    

The discussion also highlighted the need for greater and sustainable investment in the leadership of women and girls, as well as in strengthening women’s rights organizations and networks of women living with HIV, is needed to achieve the meaningful engagement of women and girls in the response to HIV

UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS

Thirty years into the AIDS epidemic, and 10 years since the landmark UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS, the world has come together to review progress and chart the future course of the global AIDS response at the 2011 UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS from 8–10 June 2011 in New York. Member States are expected to adopt a new Declaration that will reaffirm current commitments and commit to actions to guide and sustain the global AIDS response.

A youth delegate from Liberia hands over 19 775 endorsements for the ‘Mali Call to Action’ to UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit at the youth-side session during the High Level Meeting on AIDS – pictured here with moderator James Chau (right).
Credit: UNIC

Young people are at the heart of the AIDS epidemic and should be at the heart of the AIDS response. Every day an estimated 2 500 people aged 15-24 are infected with HIV and this accounts for more than 40% of new infections of all people aged 15 and over. The situation is especially stark for girls and young women who make up 60% of the five million young people living with HIV worldwide; this figure reaches more than 70% in sub-Saharan Africa.

A side-event at the High Level Meeting on AIDS in New York explored the need to ensure that the global AIDS response better serves the needs of young people, showing them greater commitment and opportunities for engagement.   

The event, which took place on 9 June, was co-organized by UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNESCO, ILO and WHO on behalf of the UNAIDS Interagency Task Team on HIV and Young People. It was moderated by James Chau, National UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for China, and attracted top level participation. Those attending included HRH Crown Princess of Norway, Mette-Marit, UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador; Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director; UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin; Martin Mogwanja, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF and Remmy Shawa, Global Youth Campaigns Coordinator for the World AIDS Campaign.

In his opening remarks UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin noted, “UNFPA has experienced first-hand the leadership of young people in HIV prevention programmes around the world. We have learnt that we can reverse the AIDS epidemic if we work in partnership with young people”. 

Also calling for the need for AIDS responses that meet the needs of young people, was HRH Crown Princess of Norway, Mette-Marit. She said: “Despite the immense progress on scaling up the global AIDS response, great challenges remain. Young people are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection and they must have access to information and services to help them protect themselves against HIV.”

The event was intended to examine transformative and practical ways of mobilizing young people to take the lead in the AIDS response. It also built on the Call to Action from April’s Global Youth Summit in Mali in which some 150 young HIV activists came together to spearhead a youth-led response to the epidemic. 

Young people were out in force at Thursday’s event and said they were ready to take the lead and become fully involved in the challenge to HIV as agents of change with their own ideas, voices and demands. 

Pablo Torres Aguilera, a young man living with HIV from Mexico, attended the High Level Meeting as a youth delegate. He explained his hopes for the meeting. “I would really like to see a change in how governments make new policies and laws. The High Level Meeting is really important because it affects everyone in the world, especially youth. The [meeting] is going to affect us because we are talking about sexuality education in schools; we are talking about youth friendly services in hospitals; and for a young person, it is really important to have health care services, especially if you want to talk to your doctor about something that affects you.”

The gathering also presented an opportunity to show the most recent evidence on the HIV prevention response for young people as contained in the new Opportunity in Crisis, 2011 report.

UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Martin Mogwanja presented some of the findings of the publication which highlights the need for family members, teachers, communities, leaders and young people themselves to play a role in changing behaviours which place young people at risk of HIV and establish set norms leading to a safer environment. This should take place in a multi-faceted continuum of HIV prevention which provides information, support and services.

Recognizing the need to maintain momentum participants committed to key actions to help prevent HIV among young people and involve them in the response: A clear consensus emerged from the event: the global AIDS response cannot succeed without the greater centrality of young people.

UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS

Thirty years into the AIDS epidemic, and 10 years since the landmark UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS, the world has come together to review progress and chart the future course of the global AIDS response at the 2011 UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS from 8–10 June 2011 in New York. Member States are expected to adopt a new Declaration that will reaffirm current commitments and commit to actions to guide and sustain the global AIDS response.

Dr Babatunde Osotimehin.
Credit: UNFPA

Linking sexual and reproductive health and HIV is of critical importance. Worldwide more than 80% of HIV infections are sexually transmitted. In addition, sexual and reproductive ill health and HIV are fueled by similar causes such as poverty, limited access to services, lack of correct information, gender inequality and social marginalization.

On 8 June, during a side event at this week’s General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS in New York, the question of how exactly such linkages can be strengthened was explored. The event was sponsored by UNAIDS, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).

The highly interactive session looked at the issue through the prism of five key thematic areas: cost-effectiveness and cost savings of linkages; prevention of mother to child transmission though a sexual and reproductive health platform; comprehensive sexuality education for young people; ending gender-based violence; and human rights of people living with HIV.

Making ‘people-sense’

In his opening remarks, Dr Babatunde Osotimehin, UNFPA Executive Director, explained how the integration of sexual and reproductive health and HIV services makes ‘people-sense’. These services include testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, support for fertility decisions, and access to condoms, contraception and correct information.  He went on to emphasize wider policy and human rights implications.

“Linking sexual and reproductive health and HIV goes beyond integrating health services,” he said. “It demands from us that we fortify the human rights platform–ending stigma, violence and discrimination.”

Human rights and the right to health were said to be at the core of greater integration of services.  A broader human rights agenda can also be promoted that goes beyond service delivery and tackles legal reforms, such as those relating to the right to information and freedom from violence, abuse and coercion.

Sharing ideas and experience

The participants shared ideas and experiences of how those working in the fields of HIV and sexual and reproductive health have combined their efforts to make interventions more effective in creative and innovative ways, including strategies to strengthen treatment as a prevention option.

It was stressed that mother- and child-centred care can improve both sexual and reproductive health and HIV outcomes. For many women, pregnancy is the first point of access in the health system and they can benefit from a range of interventions, including HIV prevention and treatment integrated into routine maternal health care; family planning; and preventing and managing sexually transmitted infections and gender-based violence.

The discussion also showed that when comprehensive sexuality education is effectively implemented on a national scale, there is potential for cost saving from averting HIV infections, other STIs and unintended pregnancies.

Participants examined how men can benefit from greater integration. For instance, in countries where voluntary male circumcision is being implemented for HIV prevention, the number of men accessing other sexual and reproductive services, such as prevention of mother-to-child transmission and treatment of STIs, has increased. 

The meeting closed with agreement that linking sexual and reproductive health and the HIV response, especially in a climate of austerity, is a gateway to strengthening both the human rights agenda and health systems.

Credit: Women Deliver

The International Peace Institute, in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Norway to the United Nations, Women Deliver, and Family Care International, hosted a policy forum entitled Prevention and Protection Save Lives: Girls, Women, and HIV on the sidelines of the 2011 UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS on 8 June.

HIV is now recognized as the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age, the forum aimed to identify and strengthen the response to HIV and raise awareness about the interconnectedness of women’s health issue in relation to the broader development agenda.

In this light the high level panel brought together Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director, UN Women; Purnima Mane, Deputy Executive Director (Programs), UNFPA; Carmen Barroso, Regional Director, IPPF/WHR; Jan Beagle Deputy Executive Director, Management and External Relations, UNAIDS; and Ms Lindsay Menard-Freeman programme officer at Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS to discuss lessons learned, current challenges, and the path forward.

“Young people are now the actors, mobilising for prevention, taking ownership of the AIDS response and shaping the attitudes of future leaders,” said UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassadors Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Norway Mette-Marit who opened the forum. “We have to make sure that the next wave of leadership is equipped, engaged and sufficiently supported to maintain and develop the response.”

Also participating in the discussion was UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Annie Lennox, a strong women’s rights activist: “We have the knowledge, we have the treatment,” said Ms Annie Lennox and urged world leaders gathering at the High Level Meeting on AIDS to take action on women and girls: “This is our moment: Don’t let us down.”

The Executive Director of UN Women called for leadership on this: “We know what has to be done and we know what works. And we can do better to stop this epidemic. With political will we can create the fiscal space to make women and girls a priority,” said Ms Bachelet.

The discussion, moderated by James Chau, Goodwill Ambassador, UNAIDS and a journalist with China CCTV, highlighted that young women in particular are vulnerable to HIV.  As a result of a combination of biological and socio-cultural factors, nearly a quarter of all new global HIV infections are among young women aged 15-24. 

“Knowing your epidemic” in gender terms is critical. The human rights, including the sexual and reproductive rights of all women and girls – in particular women and girls living with HIV – must be protected and promoted in all HIV and global health programmes.”

However, progress has been made. More than 60 countries have shown their commitment to gender equality by implementing the UNAIDS Agenda for Women and Girls and HIV, engaging over 400 civil society organizations.

“It’s important to remember that young people are actors, and young people are asking for what they need,” said Ms Menard-Freeman. “Now that we are here [at the High Level Meeting on AIDS], we need the voices of young people to be heard.”

One of the critical examples raised as a model for a consolidated approach to women’s health was the United Nation’s Every Woman Every Child campaign. The campaign, launched during the United Nations Millennium Development Goals Summit, has so far seen a US$ 40 billion commitment by countries to improve the health of women and children. If implemented, it is estimated that the strategy could save up to 10 million lives of women and children by 2015.

The new UNAIDS Strategy 2011 - 2015: Getting to Zero has made advancing human rights and gender equality for the HIV response one of its three key strategic directions, and is committed to ensure that the rights of women and girls in the context of HIV.

UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS

Thirty years into the AIDS epidemic, and 10 years since the landmark UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS, the world has come together to review progress and chart the future course of the global AIDS response at the 2011 UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS from 8–10 June 2011 in New York. Member States are expected to adopt a new Declaration that will reaffirm current commitments and commit to actions to guide and sustain the global AIDS response.