L to R: Oscar Fernandes, Member of Parliament and President of the Parliamentary Forum, Sonia Gandhi, Chair of the United Progressive Alliance, Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, Gulam Nabi Azad, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS.
Credit: UNAIDS/Naresh

India’s AIDS response has transformed in the last ten years, backed by strong bipartisan political support for its AIDS response and a vibrant civil society movement. New HIV infections in the country have fallen by more than 50% in the last decade. Antiretroviral treatment is now being accessed by more than 400 000 people living with HIV. The Government of India is now rolling out free second line antiretroviral treatment to people in need. Yet the HIV prevention and treatment gap in India remains high.

“There is no room for complacency, even as we are showing success in AIDS response,” said Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, while inaugurating the National Convention of Parliamentarians, Legislators and elected representatives of urban and rural bodies of India. “Let us not forget that there are 24 lakh people [2.4 million] living with HIV in India. There should be no let-up in our efforts to provide treatment to people living with HIV and prevent others from getting infected,” he added.

Welcoming participants to the convention, India’s Health minister Gulam Nabi Azad drew attention to the growing need for increasing domestic investments for the AIDS response in the wake of reduced international funding for AIDS. UNAIDS’ estimates show that nearly one third of India’s expenditure is currently funded from domestic sources. “Many international donors are reducing their assistance to India or stopping them all together. We cannot afford to have constrained investments for HIV as we hope to expand our programme,” said Mr Azad. “I urge the Government of India to increase its domestic investments.”

Praising India’s bipartisan political support for the AIDS response, the Chair of the ruling United Progressive Alliance Sonia Gandhi called for a sustained focus of the AIDS response in providing universal access to medicines and health across the country. “Though India has been able to reduce the new infections by 50% in last 10 years, there is no room for complacency and efforts must be sustained and consolidated for long term gains,” said Mrs Gandhi. “AIDS is not a health issue alone rather it involves all aspects of social, economic and developmental facets. We can develop strategies, programmes, thrusts and priorities but let us not forget that these have to reach men, women and children who, almost invariably, belong to the most disadvantaged and deprived sections of society.”

Speakers also recalled the pivotal role played by India in expanding universal access to HIV treatment to people living with HIV across the world, especially in Africa. Speaking at the opening of the National Convention, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé called on India to ensure that the use of flexibilities under TRIPS be maintained to ensure that access to affordable and quality medicines is assured in the long term. 

Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India opening the National Convention with the traditional “lighting of the lamp” along with Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance and Mr Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director.
Credit: UNAIDS/Naresh

Recalling the pivotal role played by India’s leaders in ending social inequity and social injustice he called for ending the global dichotomy of access to HIV services between the rich and poor. “There is no reason why the value of a life in the north should be different from people in the south,” said Mr Sidibé.

“I want to study and rise in life. I want to become a social worker and help other children and people living with HIV,” said Ms Romana, a young person living with HIV, to the Indian Prime Minister.

Outlining the various challenges still faced by the AIDS response, the Indian Prime Minister showed particular concern for stopping new HIV infections among children. “Our efforts to stop HIV amongst children are being hampered by the low level of institutional deliveries by pregnant women in India,” said Dr Singh. “Fortunately there has been much progress in our Janani Suraksha [Safe motherhood] programme. There has to be convergence between the two programmes [safe motherhood and HIV] to reduce HIV transmission to children in the country.”   

“India can eliminate new HIV infections among children by 2015,” said Mr Sidibé. “We have the medicines, we have the technology, and we know how to do it. What we need now is political leadership to make this commitment.”

Responding to the UNAIDS Executive Director’s call, Oscar Fernandes, Member of Parliament and President of the Parliamentary Forum said that, “by increasing institutional based deliveries and integrating HIV prevention programmes we are determined to stop new HIV infections among children.”

During the Convention, the leader of opposition in India’s lower house of Parliament, the Lok Sabha, Sushma  Swaraj called for an end to stigma and discrimination in the country. “AIDS is not a contagious disease. We have to stand up and show to our people that people with HIV are like us and not a risk to society,” said Mrs Swaraj, who also called for ensuring the children living with HIV have a right to education.

The National Convention brought together more than 1 000 elected representatives and civil society organizations and was organized by the National Forum of Parliamentarians on HIV/AIDS in collaboration with UNAIDS and the National AIDS Control Organization of India.  “This is a meeting of convergence and of implementation,” said J.D. Seelam, Member of Parliament and Secretary-General of the National Parliamentary Forum. “We have to tap the three million local bodies of India if we have to achieve our goals.”

A declaration is expected to be adopted by the elected at the end of the convention. “We are taking the AIDS issue to the masses through their elected representatives,” said Mr Fernandes.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé (left) pictured with Arkady Dvorkovich, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation and Chair of the Organizing Committee for the International Forum on MDG 6.

In a one-day visit to Moscow on 29 June, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé praised the commitment and leadership of the Russian Federation in national and regional efforts to achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 6—a global target that calls for halting and beginning to reverse the spread of HIV and other diseases by the year 2015.

The President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, has called for a broad debate on reaching MDG 6 in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In response to his call, the Russian Government will host the International Forum on MDG 6 from 10-12 October 2011, bringing together scientists, government officials and representatives from civil society.

“Russia’s leadership is vital to addressing the HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia,” said the UNAIDS Executive Director at a meeting of co-chairs for the MDG 6 Forum, led by Arkady Dvorkovich, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation. “Victory in this region’s HIV response will only be possible with Russia’s leadership,” he added. Co-chairs of the Forum include the Government of Russia, UNAIDS, The World Bank and the Global Fund Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

 “The fact that this Forum will take place in Moscow and is being organized by the Presidential Administration, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sends a strong signal that MDG 6 is a political priority for Russia,” said Dr Gennady G. Onishchenko, Head of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights and Human Wellbeing, in a meeting with Mr Sidibé on 29 June.

Eastern Europe and Central Asia is one of the only regions of the world with a rising HIV epidemic. Between 2000 and 2009, the estimated number of people living with HIV in the region nearly tripled, from 530 000 to 1.4 million. Most people in the region are infected with HIV through injecting drug use. However, in recent years, an increase in the sexual transmission of HIV has been documented.

Russia and its neighboring countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are drawing on a number of strengths to address the regional HIV epidemic, including a high level of education among the population, a strong medical research community, highly competent health professionals and a strong culture of monitoring and case reporting. More than 90% of HIV-positive pregnant women in the region receive services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT)—among the highest regional rates of PTMCT coverage in the world.  

Civil society highlights need for targeted HIV prevention

In a meeting with the UNAIDS Executive Director on 29 June, 21 representatives from civil society organizations in Moscow underscored the need for considerable scale-up of HIV prevention measures for populations at higher risk of HIV infection, particularly people who inject drugs.

“We see that the government is becoming more open and ready to listen to us and to work with us,” said Igor Pchelin, Executive Director of All-Russian Union of People Living with HIV, a non-governmental organization based in Moscow. “We have to leverage this transformative moment. Civil society organizations stand ready to partner with the government in reaching out to key populations and ensuring the sustainability of prevention measures in the country,” he added.

Dr Pe Thet Khin, Minister of Health at the launch of the National Strategic Plan for AIDS.

Myanmar’s AIDS response received a boost with the launch of the new National Strategic Plan for AIDS, which reconfirmed the country’s commitment to reach universal access to HIV services by 2015.

“The Ministry of Health is committed to support the efforts of all partners and work in multi-sector partnership to reach programme targets by 2015,” said Dr Pe Thet Khin, Minister of Health, at the launch of the plan which took place in early June on the sidelines of a multi-sectoral workshop on AIDS hosted by the Ministry of Health.

More than 120 officials, development partners and civil society representatives, including high ranking representatives of government and UN, participated in the workshop to agree on strategies for ensuring maximum implementation of the new Plan.

“The collaborative efforts of all partners in developing the AIDS strategic plan and commitment shown by many government sectors is one of the best examples in development work in this country,” said Mr Bishow Parajuli, UN Resident Coordinator in Myanmar.

Speaking at the launch, UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Asia, Dr Nafis Sadik, who was visiting Myanmar as part of an official UN mission on AIDS, urged all partners to be involved in roll out activities. “Government, non-government organizations, community-based organizations, people living with HIV, professional associations, and the private sector all have their role to play in helping expand the effectiveness and scale up of HIV programmes,” she said.

In 2010, there were an estimated 236,000 people living with HIV in Myanmar. Despite limited resources, Myanmar has made significant progress in its national AIDS response. There are more people on antiretroviral treatment than ever before—in 2010 some 30 000 out of the 76 000 people in need of HIV treatment, and there are some signs that HIV prevalence among key populations has begun to decline. Nevertheless, prevalence among on populations at higher risk remains high. According to the 2009 HIV sentinel surveillance data, HIV prevalence among female sex workers is 11.2%; people who inject drugs is 34.6%; men who have sex with men is 22.3%—making it evident that more needs to be done to ensure their access to HIV services.

“Protecting the rights of people living with HIV and affected populations—including people who use drugs, men who have sex with men, sex workers, and transgender people—is not only the right thing to do, but is necessary to ensure that people are able to benefit from HIV services,” noted Mr Clifton Cortez, Asia-Pacific Regional Practice leader for HIV and Health of UNDP who joined Dr Sadik and Mr Gary Lewis, Regional Representative of UNODC for East Asia and the Pacific on the three-day UN country visit. 

At the close of the National Plan launch workshop, participants adopted a Statement expressing their commitment to redouble their efforts to the AIDS response in Myanmar and to reach the Plan’s 2015 targets. They also agreed to review laws and create a more enabling environment to help increase scale and efficiency of programmes.

With the Plan now officially in place, similar workshops will be organized in different states and regions in the country to raise awareness of its targets and priority HIV activities.

“I am encouraged to see everyone coming together and voicing their support to the AIDS response. It gives us new energy to continue to expand the AIDS programme in Myanmar,” said Thiha Kyaing, Chair of Myanmar Positive Group, the national network for people living with HIV in Myanmar. 

Implementation of the full Plan requires the total budget of US$ 344 million from 2011 to 2015. “If the government and international development partners commit to provide the needed resources for implementing the new strategic plan, Myanmar will most likely be able to maintain its achievement and scale-up HIV service provision to reach their targets by 2015,” said Dr Sadik.

The Elena Pinchuk ANTIAIDS Foundation has launched a competition to develop social media and mobile phone projects for HIV prevention. The competition will reward innovative, start-up projects to show proof of concept and the potential for future scale up to make a real impact on the HIV epidemic.

"To be more efficient with the AIDS messaging we have to use the same language and the same communication platforms as our target audience,” said Ms Pinchuk, founder and chair of the foundation. “Our goal today is to make modern technologies work for HIV prevention. Our dream is a future where AIDS is only mentioned in the past tense."

The initiative offers opportunity to software developers, public health practitioners, HIV programme managers as well as mHealth and social media for health communications professionals to create innovative projects using social media and/or mobile phones for HIV prevention.

Accepting applications from 30 June to 1 October 2011, projects applying for funding should be either youth-led or have a youth focus, aim to prevent new HIV infections, raise awareness about HIV prevention and/or decrease stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. Winning projects will be awarded with full or partial funding up to 10,000 USD for the maximum implementation period of one year.

“Young people are in the forefront of the AIDS epidemic—both as those affected and those leading the social and behavioural changes that will prevent HIV,” said Michael Bartos, Strategy team leader from UNAIDS. “The new era of social movements led by ‘digital natives’ will transform the AIDS response and this competition will help create its leading edge,” he added.

Applications will be assessed by a panel consisting of leading technology and HIV prevention experts including Chris Hughes, Executive Director of Jumo International, Inc and a co-founder of Facebook, Garth Japhet, CEO of Heartlines, member of the High Level Commission Scientific Advisory Panel, Bill Roedy, former Chairman and Chief Executive, MTV Networks International, Debbie Rogers, Lead Strategist, Praekelt Foundation and Elena Pinchuk, founder and chair, Elena Pinchuk ANTIAIDS Foundation.

“Young people connect with each other through social media and mobile. As this is their primary means of communication, the next generation of HIV prevention must be through this, said Mr Roedy. “Let's help create the prevention revolution with this technology and go forward with the aim to have an AIDS free generation.”

Winners and amounts granted will be announced on 1 December, World AIDS Day 2011: www.antiaids.org, www.unaids.org  and http://www.hivpreventioncommission.com/ 

For more information about the competition and how to take part visit ANTIAIDS

The ANTIAIDS Foundation was founded by Elena Pinchuk in 2003 and is the first and the sole charity established with private funds against AIDS in Ukraine. The foundation operates at multiple levels—from national programs to direct support to individuals affected by the HIV epidemic. To find out more visit. www.antiaids.org.

The UNAIDS High Level Commission on HIV Prevention was launched on the 21 of July 2010 and includes more than 15 world renowned leaders. The Commission leads a global advocacy campaign to build broad support for effective HIV prevention programmes, and is co-chaired by Professor Francoise Barré-Sinoussi, Nobel Laureate in Medicine for her role in the discovery of HIV, and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Price Laureate. To find out more visit: http://www.hivpreventioncommission.com/  



Credit: Patricia Leiva/OAS

A new resolution adopted by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), condemns discrimination against persons based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The same resolution urge states to adopt the necessary measures to prevent, punish and eradicate such discrimination.

Under the theme of “citizen security in the Americas,” the 41st General Assembly brought together Ministers of Foreign Affairs and delegates representing 34 countries to El Salvador from 5-7 June 2011.

“This is a success for us and our work,” said German Rincon-Prefetti, lawyer and human rights activist from Colombia and member of the Coalition of Lesbians, Gays, Transgender, Bisexuals and Intersex populations. The Coalition had been advocating over the past five years to strengthen the resolution to protect their human rights.

The General Assembly provided the opportunity, for the first time ever, to a transgender person to address the members present. Speaking on behalf of the Coalition of Lesbians, Gays, Transgender, Bisexuals and Intersex populations, Monica Hernandez shared the Coalition’s concerns about to the wave of violence and hate crime experienced by sexual minorities in the region. “Acts of violence, human rights violations and discrimination practiced against us because of our sexual orientation and gender identity is the reality of our every day life,” she said.

The HIV epidemic in Latin America remains concentrated among men who have sex with men and transgendered persons. The latter group has reported HIV prevalence rates of 27.6% in Argentina and of 29.6% in Peru. At the same time the region has experienced an alarming increase in violence and intimidation towards transgender and other sexual minorities. “All forms of discrimination and violence—including transphobia—block access to HIV prevention programmes and impact the quality of care for people living with HIV. Working for the respect of human rights is at the core of the HIV response in Latin America,” said Edgar Carrasco, UNAIDS Country Coordinator in Venezuela who represented the joint programme at the General Assembly.

UNAIDS has been working with the Inter American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) since 2010 to support the development of a Hemispheric Report on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. The IACHR is a principal organ of the Organization of American States (OAS), mandated by the OAS Charter to promote the observance and protection of human rights in the region.

German Rincon- Prefetti is optimistic of the impact this resolution will make. “Now we have an instrument to document the human rights violations we are facing and to make changes for the better,” he said. “The new resolution requests IACHR to prepare the Hemispheric Report in time for the next General Assembly to take place in Bolivia in 2012, with the member states full participation and in collaboration with civil society.”

In follow-up to the new resolution, UNAIDS regional office in Latin America, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), supported the first of five expert meetings to establish the foundations for the Hemispheric Report on 17-18 June. 

The expert meeting developed a network of resource people linked to HIV and health issues for lesbians, gays, transgender, bisexual and intersex populations that will elaborate a roadmap for the Hemispheric report including the draft State and non-State questionnaire. This will provide the comprehensive and standardized information for the report to be implemented in the 35 countries.       

Organization of American States

The Organization of American States is a regional international organization whose members are the 35 independent states of the American Continent. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States.

Credit: UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

During its 17^th session, the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a historic resolution on human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity on 14 June. Presented to the Human Rights Council by South Africa and Brazil, the draft resolution was cosponsored by 39 countries from all regions of the world. This is the first UN resolution on this subject and it was passed by 23 votes in favour, 19 votes against and 3 abstentions.  

Homophobia and transphobia, which block effective responses to HIV, is institutionalized in many parts of the world. In 2010, more than 75 countries criminalized same-sex behaviour—and in some countries, it is punishable by death. Transgender people often face discrimination and violence with recent killings reported in Guatemala and Honduras among other countries.

Entitled Human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity (L.9/Rev.1), the resolution calls for four key actions, including a request to the High Commissioner for Human Rights to commission a worldwide study to document discriminatory laws, practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. The study will also outline how international human rights law can be used to end violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The council also decided to convene a panel discussion to take place during the 19th session of the Human Rights Council, informed by the findings of the study commissioned by High Commissioner. This panel will aim to hold constructive, informed and transparent dialogue on the issue of discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.

“This resolution is an important step for the international community. We must remove all barriers that prevent people from accessing HIV-related services because of stigma and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity,” emphasized UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé.

The recently adopted General Assembly Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS: Intensifying our efforts to Elimination HIV/AIDS, mentions for the first time men who have sex with men as a specific group at higher risk of HIV and states that “many national HIV prevention strategies inadequately focus on populations that epidemiological evidence shows are at higher risk.”

In 2009, 63 out of 67 countries reported a higher HIV prevalence among men who sex with men compared to the general population. Homophobia and transphobia block effective responses to HIV, driving already vulnerable populations underground and out of reach for HIV prevention and treatment services. 

UNAIDS’ strategy 2011-2015: Getting to Zero calls for a revolution in HIV prevention to reduce by half new sexually transmitted HIV infections by 2015, including among young people, men who have sex with men and transmission in the context of sex work—a global goal echoed by the 2011 Political declaration on HIV/AIDS mentioned above.

GENEVA, 24 June 2011—Captains of national football teams competing in the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 soccer championship in Germany are signing up to the Give AIDS the Red Card appeal in support of a global plan to eliminate new HIV infections among children by 2015. The Give AIDS the Red Card appeal, which was launched by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) one year ago at the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa, uses the power and outreach of football to unite the world around stopping new HIV infections in children.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé said, “As the most important international competition in women's football, this tournament provides a platform to raise global awareness about the campaign to keep babies from becoming infected with HIV, and their mothers from dying from AIDS.”

Every day more than 1000 babies are born with HIV. However with access to HIV counseling and testing for pregnant women and their partners, and treatment when needed, the risk of transmission can be brought down to less than 5%.

On signing the pledge, team captains appeal to football players and fans across the world to ‘celebrate life and support the global campaign to prevent mothers from dying and babies from becoming infected with HIV’.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 is taking place from 26 June to 17 July. So far five captains have signed the appeal; Faye White (England), Sandrine Soubeyrand (France), Rebecca Smith (New Zealand), Ingvild Stensland (Norway), and Christie Rampone (United States).

“One of the great things about representing our country on the big stages is the opportunity for us to support causes we care about,” said U.S. Women’s World Cup Team captain Christie Rampone. “I signed onto a global campaign called Give AIDS the Red Card which helps to generate political action towards ending the AIDS epidemic among babies and young children around the world. I am confident about linking this noble cause with the game we all cherish.”

Rampone, who is among the more experienced U.S. players and will be playing in her fourth World Cup added, “UNAIDS asked the U.S. soccer team to help lead this campaign around the world, and we are happy to lend our support on a global stage to a global problem. The UN wants to end pediatric AIDS by 2015 and so do we!”

The captains of the other competing teams, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Japan, DPR Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, and Sweden, will also be encouraged to become “Red Card Advocates” by signing the appeal during the tournament and publicize global efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2015.

There are 34 million people globally living with HIV, of whom 22.5 million are in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite progress towards the goal of eliminating new HIV infections among children , in 2009 alone there were 370,000 children born with HIV, bringing to 2.5 million the total number of children under 15 living with HIV.

The 2011 Women’s World Cup is one of several high-profile football championships, including the 2012 African Nations Cup and UEFA Euro 2012, leading up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, that can provide platforms for raising wide awareness about the campaign to eliminate HIV in children.



L to R: UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Programme Dr Paul De Lay, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, Health Minister of El Salvador and Chair of the 28th PCB, H. E. Dr Maria Rodriguez
Credit: UNAIDS/F.Chironi

The 28th Meeting of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) will meet in Geneva from 21-23 June.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé will present his progress report on 21 June followed by a presentation of the Committee of Cosponsoring Organizations (CCO) report highlighting the joint and specific Cosponsors’ activities during the previous twelve months. The report will be presented by Mr Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC, on behalf of the current CCO Chair Tony Lake, Executive Director of UNICEF.

The main item at this meeting is the Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework (UBRAF) 2012-2015, which the Board will consider for endorsement. As a follow up from the previous PCB meeting that took place in December 2010, the Board will receive a report on the outcomes of the thematic segment on “Food and nutrition security and HIV: how to ensure food and nutrition security are integral parts of HIV programming”, and their integration into the work of the Joint Programme. The Board will also receive a progress report on the implementation of the Agenda for Accelerated Action on Women and Girls by country.

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.

(Left to Right): Paul De Lay, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director; Ms. Rosilyne Borland, HIV and Health Promotion Coordinator, IOM; Ambassador William Lacy Swing, Deputy General, IOM; Mr. Udo Janz, Director of UNHCR New York; Dr. Sophia Kisting, Director, ILO/AIDS; at Migration and HIV event, held at UN Headquarters, NYC, on June 10, 2011.
Credit: UNAIDS/B. Hamilton

For the world’s 214 million international migrants and 740 million internal migrants the sometimes challenging conditions of the migration process can leave them vulnerable to HIV infection. Yet, even with the increasing interest in the health and human rights of this key group, the links between migration, population mobility and HIV are still not widely understood.

During the General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS in New York governments, civil society partners and intergovernmental agencies came together to explore the relationship between migration and the AIDS epidemic and to examine ways of increasing access to HIV services for people on the move.

The side-event, on 10 June, was sponsored by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and UNAIDS.

Ambassador William Lacy Swing, IOM’s Director General and Dr Paul De Lay, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Programme, co-hosted the event. This follows the signing of a revised cooperation of agreement between the two organizations in January this year. The agreement addresses the potential vulnerability of migrants to HIV and strengthens efforts to integrate migrants and mobile populations into AIDS policies and programmes at national, regional and international levels.

“We must harness the benefits of migration for migrants and states, by ensuring migrants can access HIV prevention, care, treatment and support services,” said Ambassador Swing.

Dr De Lay raised an issue which many ‘people on the move’ face on a daily basis: discrimination. He spoke of the need to vigorously challenge discrimination directed at migrants, and would-be migrants, which prevents freedom of movement. These include the HIV-related entry, stay and residency restrictions in some countries. “Every individual should have equal access to freedom of movement regardless of HIV status. UNAIDS opposes restrictions that single out HIV for special treatment and that restrict movement based on HIV status only. Such restrictions are discriminatory,” he said.

Best practices

The side-event emphasized the importance of sharing best practices and lessons learned by governments and civil society on managing migration and HIV and ensuring the rights of migrants to access health and social services.

It was acknowledged that while mobility in and of itself does not necessarily result in increased health risks, the sometimes challenging conditions of the migration process—before migration, during movement, in destination communities and upon return—may impact the health of migrants and make them more vulnerable to the virus.

International commitments

The meeting explored progress on a number of international commitments and policy frameworks such as sections of the 2001 UNGASS Declaration of Commitment on AIDS which facilitate access to HIV programmes for migrants and mobile workers.  

Migration-related aspects of the ILO Recommendation on HIV and AIDS and the World of Work, 2010 (No 200) were also discussed. Dr Sophia Kisting, Director of ILO/AIDS, stressed that stigma and discrimination, difficult working conditions and long separation from their families and cultures increase migrant workers’ vulnerability to HIV. “For these reasons, the Recommendation makes special mention of migrant workers.  It calls on countries of origin, transit and destination to take measures to ensure access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services for such workers,” she said.

In its Technical cooperation projects, the ILO has promoted an integrated approach involving a variety of actors, such as government, recruitment agencies and trades unions. Programmes in Indonesia, Nepal and Sri Lanka have shown the usefulness of this approach and succeeded in including HIV in pre-departure training for labour migrants and initiating policy dialogue between sending and receiving countries.

Addressing such issues is of key importance given that, for example, according to Sri Lanka’s national AIDS committee, some 30-40% of women in Sri Lanka who test positive for HIV have returned home after living in the Middle East.

Udo Janz, Director of UNHCR New York Office, welcomed the chance afforded by the side-meeting to consolidate gains made and chart future action in ensuring migrants and mobile populations, including those forcibly displaced, are provided with HIV services.    

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.