With arts and culture being pillars of the Jeux de la Francophonie, the Y-PEER network performed a dance and song written by its members about AIDS. Beirut, 28 September 2009. Credit: UNAIDS/Nabil

The UNFPA-supported Y-PEER initiative is a groundbreaking youth programme that raises HIV prevention awareness through street art, music and dance. UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé had the opportunity this week to attend a dance performance by the Youth Peer Education Network during the Jeux de la Francophonie.

With arts and culture being one of the two pillars of the Jeux de la Francophonie, the Y-PEER network performed a dance and song written specifically by its members for these games. The lyrics include HIV prevention messages in Arabic, French and English, with the dancers forming a large red ribbon of red fabric at the end of the routine.

“UNAIDS and our Cosponsors are committed to including young people’s leadership as an integral part of national responses including empowering young people to prevent sexual and other transmission of HIV infection among their peers,” said Mr Sidibé.

“This evening’s performance was inspiring, putting these goals into action with young people creatively participating in the AIDS response in their own terms,” said Mr Sidibé after the show. “Culture and creative expression are powerful tools for mobilizing people of all ages and I applaud the Y-PEER.”

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé writes a message at the UNAIDS booth at Y-PEER event, Beirut, 28 September 2009. Credit: UNAIDS/Nabil

Y-PEER is a groundbreaking and comprehensive youth-to-youth initiative pioneered by UNFPA. The international network includes over 7000 young peer educators in Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, North Africa and the Middle East. The network has adopted an approach of “edutainment”—combining education and entertainment— to communicating HIV facts. Young people work together to raise awareness on sexual and reproductive health including the facts about sexually transmitted infection and HIV prevention.

The Lebanese Y-PEER network was launched in 2008 with the support of UNFPA and through 35 peer educators, the network has reached 1000 young people all over country in just three months.

With 7,400 new HIV infections daily worldwide and young people aged 15-24 accounting for 45% of these. 

The Jeux de la Francophonie brings together sport and culture to foster dialogue and understanding among French speaking nations. It will run in Beirut until 6 October, bringing together 70 countries from all over the world.

The Director General in the Ministry of Public Health, Lebanon, Dr Walid Ammar (right) met UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. Beirut, 28 September 2009. Credit: UNAIDS/Nabil

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé concluded an official visit to Lebanon on 29 September. Mr Sidibé recognized and supported the country’s achievements in the HIV response and efforts to target key populations at risk of HIV. He also welcomed the Government of Lebanon’s strong commitment to introduce oral substitution therapy into the country’s public health system.

Mr Sidibé met with the Director General in the Ministry of Public Health, Lebanon, Dr Walid Ammar, and commended the government’s initiative to scale up its harm reduction programme. He stressed the need to expand prevention and treatment efforts among key populations affected with HIV in order to achieve universal access goals.

Mr Sidibé also met with the Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, Mr Bader Al-Dafa, to discuss approaches to prevent escalation of the HIV epidemic in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, focusing on gender, socio-economic, marginalization and other factors which increase vulnerability.

Mr Sidibé emphasized the priority of keeping HIV prevalence low in the region, “for low prevalence to continue, I encourage more openness in communicating about AIDS issues. Let us all work together without judgment or discrimination for people living with or at risk of HIV,” said Mr Sidibé.

Mr Sidibé met with civil society groups while in Lebanon. Credit: UNAIDS/Nabil

Recognizing the pivotal role of civil society in the HIV effort, he also met with representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the country. These included Helem Association, the first organization working with men who have sex with men (MSM) in the region as well as Soins Infirmiers et Developpement Communautaire (SIDC) which has implemented outreach and HIV prevention for MSM. He also met with Vivre Positif, which works towards ending discrimination and stigmatization towards people living with HIV.

Lebanon’s national AIDS programme has recently introduced 19 voluntary counselling and treatment centres that target key populations and are managed through NGOs. The country also recently launched a centre for antiretroviral distribution along with the provision of psycho-social support for people living with HIV.

According to UNAIDS 2007 estimates, Lebanon is a low HIV prevalence country with a total of 2900 people living with HIV. High mobility and migration levels are important drivers of the epidemic, with 45% of notified HIV cases up to 2004 being linked to travel abroad. Lebanon is among the few countries in the region that has accounted for specific strategies to target each of the key population groups.

Mr Sidibé's visit to Lebanon also included his participation in the Jeux de la Francophonie, of which UNAIDS is an official partner this year.

Jeux de la Francophonie opened in Beirut. Credit: UNAIDS/Nabil

The Jeux de la Francophonie (the Francophone Games) have been opened in Beirut by His Excellency Michel Suleiman, the President of Lebanon. The Jeux de la Francophonie is an event where sport and culture combine to foster dialogue and understanding among French speaking nations. The games are organized by a national organizing committee and the l’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

“Through partnership change can happen,” said Mr Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “I am delighted that this year for the first time, UNAIDS is an official partner to the Jeux de la Francophonie. The OIF has shown leadership and a strong commitment to placing AIDS on the games’ agenda.”

Abdou Diouf, Secretary-General of La Francophonie addresses the opening ceremony
Credit: UNAIDS/Nabil

Observing the opening ceremony, Mr Sidibé noted the ability of the event to unify people all over the world. “The games, with their unique approach of merging sport and culture, have created a space for the open and respectful dialogue needed to challenge the taboos often surrounding issues pertaining to AIDS,” said Mr Sidibé.

Empowering young people to protect themselves from HIV is one of UNAIDS nine priority areas in the Outcome Framework 2009-2011.

In the Jeux de la Francophonie young athletes and artists of the French-speaking world are given an opportunity to meet through sporting and cultural events. The games have an ambition to foster dialogue and understanding among participants as well as spectators. It also aims to encourage young athletes and artist to contributing to international solidarity and gender equality, as well develop artistic exchanges between francophone countries.

"La Francophonie contre le sida - Francophone countries against AIDS"

Across the city of Beirut UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassadors Michael Ballack and Emmanuel Adebayor feature on 100 billboards with the powerful message “La Francophonie contre le sida” (Francophone countries against AIDS).
Credit: UNAIDS

In a joint campaign, across the city of Beirut UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassadors Michael Ballack and Emmanuel Adebayor feature on 100 billboards with the powerful message “La Francophonie contre le sida” (Francophone countries against AIDS). The UNAIDS logo along with other partners to the Games, is displayed by the organizing committee within the Chamoun stadium, visible to an expected 200, 000 spectators and 50 million people following the games via broadcasting. 

Through the partnership, UNAIDS aims to raise awareness on AIDS issues and to help inform young people how to protect themselves against HIV infection.

With 7,400 new HIV infections daily worldwide and young people aged 15-24 accounting for 45% of these, empowering young people and raising awareness of the epidemic is seen as a key to bring about change.

Running from the 27 September to 6 October, the Jeux de la Francophonie brings together 70 countries from all over the world.

UNAIDS and cosponsors UNICEF, UNFPA and WHO have joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNIFEM and private sector supporters through the Clinton Global Initiative to address the injustices and health impact of sexual violence against girls. The initiative, launched in New York by the partners, will focus on countries where sexual violence is a key initiation point for the spread of HIV and other infectious diseases.

Partners of the initiative will come together to conduct research in seven countries using the methodology piloted in Swaziland in 2007 by UNICEF and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In collaboration with World Health Organization, UNICEF and CDC will use the survey results to develop a technical package of policy and social interventions, tailored individually for the countries in southern Africa, Asia and the Pacific regions.

 “While it is generally known that sexual violence against girls is a global problem, very limited data exist on the extent of this problem in the developing world. Obtaining valid data is a key step toward mobilizing policy and other positive interventions,” said Dr. Rodney Hammond, Director of the Division of Violence Prevention in CDC’s Injury Center.

“Sexual violence against children is a gross violation of their rights, a moral and ethical outrage and an assault on the world’s conscience,” said Ann M. Veneman, Executive Director of UNICEF. “Sexual abuse can lead to lost childhoods, abandoned education, physical and emotional problems, the spread of HIV, and an often irrevocable loss of dignity and self-esteem.”

“Sexual violence against girls increases their vulnerability to HIV infection and must be stopped,” said Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS, Executive Director. “AIDS responses must include programmes to stop sexual violence as an integral part of HIV prevention and treatment programmes.” 

2007 Swaziland survey

In 2007 CDC, UNICEF and several local institutions partnered to implement a national survey on violence against girls and young women in Swaziland. Swaziland has the highest prevalence of HIV among adults globally. The survey showed that approximately one-third of girls had a history of sexual violence.

This survey led to a series of policy and legislative interventions in the country, including establishment of the nation’s first Sexual Offenses Unit for children, and a push for legislation against domestic violence and sexual offences.

According to WHO, in 2002 approximately 150 million girls experienced some form of sexual violence. Research demonstrates that violence occurring early in life affects neurological and cognitive functioning, and triggers multiple negative impacts, including sexual disease transmission, drug and alcohol abuse and psychological distress.

Stopping violence against women and girls

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and UNICEF are the lead organizations in new this initiative, with partners including the CDC Foundation, the Nduna Foundation, Grupo ABC, WHO, UNAIDS, UNFPA and UNIFEM.

Stopping violence against women and girls is one of the nine priority areas of UNAIDS as described in the UNAIDS Outcome Framework (2009-2011). UNAIDS with its cosponsors will leverage the AIDS response as an opportunity to reduce sexual violence and support the initiative partners’ efforts to develop comprehensive responses to sexual violence and HIV prevention and treatment within and beyond the health sector. UNAIDS will provide funding to support this issue.

Clinton Global Initiative

The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) has served as the central convening body for bringing together the lead organizations and key partners. CGI venues served as the critical link for engaging new partners and it has also served as the key forum for the steering committee overseeing this effort, and as a mobilizing force for raising public awareness and leadership commitment.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé has been in New York this week for a series of events and meetings.   

Geneva, 24 September 2009 – The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) are optimistic about the results, announced today, of the largest ever HIV vaccine clinical trial held to date.

The study results, representing a significant scientific advance, are the first demonstration that a vaccine can prevent HIV infection in a general adult population and are of great importance.

The two UN agencies congratulate both the principal investigators, sponsors and the trial volunteers who have made this encouraging result possible.

The RV144 HIV vaccine study results, revealing a 31.2% vaccine efficacy in preventing HIV infections are characterized as modestly protective. However, these results have instilled new hope in the HIV vaccine research field and promise that a safe and highly effective HIV vaccine may become available  for  populations throughout the world who are most in need of such a vaccine. No vaccine safety issues were observed in the trial.

Much more work, though, has to be done by the principal investigators and a large group of international collaborators to analyse the trial data, understand the protective mechanism, determine the duration of protection, and map next steps. Licensure at this point in time may not be possible solely on the basis of this study's results, and it remains to be seen if the two specific vaccine components in this particular regimen would be applicable to other parts of the world with diverse host genetic backgrounds and different HIV subtypes driving different regional sub-epidemics. Once an HIV vaccine does become available, it will need to be universally accessible by all persons at risk.

In addition, early HIV vaccines with modest levels of efficacy would most likely have to be used as complementary tools in combination with strategies to promote changes in behavioural and social norms, promotion of correct and consistent condom use, access to safe injection equipment, as well as male circumcision.

The Phase III trial, involving 16 395 adult male and female volunteers in Thailand, was a test- of-concept of a novel HIV vaccine regimen with two different candidate vaccines developed by Sanofi-Pasteur and the non-profit organization Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases. The trial was performed by the Thai Ministry of Public Health, sponsored by the United States Army Surgeon General and received funding from the United States National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Department of Defense. 

WHO and UNAIDS began supportive work for this trial 18 years ago, in 1991, when Thailand was recommended as one of the WHO-sponsored countries in preparation for HIV vaccine trials and the development of the National AIDS Vaccine Plan. In particular, WHO and UNAIDS through their HIV Vaccine Advisory Committee (VAC) provided continuous technical guidance and advice for review, approval and implementation of the RV144 trial protocol. In 2006, VAC performed an external evaluation of the trial examining various ethical and community-related issues: this evaluation showed that the trial was being conducted at the highest scientific and ethical standards and with active community participation.

Moreover, WHO and UNAIDS, in collaboration with partners, such as the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise have jointly developed numerous policy documents relating to access to care and treatment for trial participants, design and purpose of test of concept HIV vaccine trials as well as scientific parameters.

WHO and UNAIDS will work with the global HIV stakeholder community to further understand and resolve a range of questions related to the potential introduction of an HIV vaccine of moderate protective efficacy. This includes additional, in-depth trials in different populations with diverse host and virus genetic backgrounds.

Until a highly effective HIV vaccine becomes available UNAIDS and WHO underline the importance of effective and proven HIV prevention methods for all people. A comprehensive HIV prevention package includes, but is not limited to, behavioural interventions to reduce sexual risk practices, including correct and consistent male and female condom use, early and effective treatment for sexually transmitted infections, male circumcision in high HIV prevalence settings, harm reduction for injecting drug users, post-exposure prophylaxis with antiretroviral drugs, and interventions to prevent HIV transmission in health care settings. 

The Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS campaign has produced a short video on the importance of social protection for children

As leaders convene at the G20 summit in Pittsburgh, the Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS campaign, spearheaded by UNICEF and also supported by UNAIDS among other partners, is encouraging a discussion on the role of social protection for children and families affected by AIDS, families like Margaret Nyambura’s.

Ms Nyambura is nearly 70 and she doing her best to care for her five grandchildren in a small house outside Kenya’s capital Nairobi. Ranging in age from five to 14 years old, the children have lost their parents to AIDS-related illness. Making ends meet is a daily battle for Margaret, who does not have a job. Her family is close to destitution and can barely cover expenses for food, shelter and education. She is faced with competing priorities and few resources to deal with them.

Maureen Sakala lives in Lusaka, Zambia, with her mother, siblings and twelve orphaned children, including those of a brother who died of AIDS-related illness. Such families can benefit from increased social protection. Credit: UNICEF/NYHQ2009-0309/Nesbitt

Such a situation is common among impoverished families living in countries hard hit by AIDS. The epidemic can compound poverty when HIV-related needs are pitted against everyday needs, such as food, and long- term investments like education. It can pressure children into becoming breadwinners and caregivers before their time.

Evidence suggests that the current global financial crisis is exacerbating an already precarious situation for these families, who take on approximately 90% of the cost of caring for infected and affected children. There are a growing number of ‘Margarets’. The World Bank has already highlighted a decline in economic growth in the poorest nations  and predicts a drop in the remittances workers send home to their families this year.

UNICEF contends that the economic crisis makes the needs of the millions of children affected by HIV worldwide even more urgent. As Dr Rachel Yates, Senior Adviser on Children and HIV at UNICEF maintains, “the economic crisis has come on top of the existing food and AIDS crises that have already stretched families to the breaking point.” The situation also threatens to undermine children’s fundamental rights to health, survival and a decent standard of living.

As reported in a recent statement from UNICEF and a number of partners, social protection utilizes an array of actions to tackle vulnerability and exclusion. This form of protection enables countries to provide a range of options for safeguarding their most impoverished families against the impact of big, adverse events like a global recession or chronic illness. When it is tailored to the needs of children, this approach is known as ‘child-sensitive social protection’.

As described by Yates, "child-sensitive social protection including cash transfers and family support services has shown to be an effective way of protecting families and children in times of greatest need, including children worst affected by the AIDS epidemic."

Social transfers such as cash payments, pensions, and food stamps can put resources directly into the hands of those who need them most, and are one key component of social protection. For example, Britain’s Department for International Development has been working with UNICEF and the Kenyan government to arrange cash payments for Margaret and her grandchildren, and others like them.

But, as the joint statement also notes, poor and AIDS-affected families require help beyond social transfers alone, and a raft of diverse interventions, ranging from improved social services to supportive policies and laws, and from tackling stigma and discrimination to ensuring that children have the birth certificates they need to go to school, should also be available.

There is an increasing political consensus that strong social protection systems are required to buffer families and communities against the predations of poverty, lack of opportunity and vulnerability to the effects of AIDS. In April 2009, the G20 backed this approach. African Union leaders have also given their support. 

The Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS campaign is calling on leaders at the Pittsburg summit to build on its earlier commitment to social protection -- and to make children a key part of it. It is hoped that world leaders come together to help children and their families and carers in developing countries cope with both the global economic crisis and the AIDS epidemic.

For Chris Desmond of the Harvard School of Public Health and a leading member of the Joint Learning Initiative for Children and AIDS (JLICA), of which UNICEF and UNAIDS are partners, social protection in hard economic times is not a luxury but a necessity:

“There’s always a benefit to social protection.  [It] is in many ways an investment in the future of a country… We need those resources, we need those human resources.  We shouldn’t see social protection in a negative sense, where we’re providing some sort of charitable relief to people.  We’re protecting the assets of our society – human resources are the fundamental assets of our society.”

The partnership agreement was signed by Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, on the eve of the opening of the UN General Assembly in New York, 21 September 2009. Credit: UNAIDS/Brad Hamilton

As a sign of consistent and growing partnership on the AIDS response, UNAIDS signed a multi-annual agreement with the Government of Australia on Monday 21 September 2009.

The agreement includes shared goals and objectives for the cooperation between UNAIDS and Australia in the Asia-Pacific region and includes funding of AUD 25.5 million (approximately USD 22 million) over three years. A commitment for increasing funds to UNAIDS by 16.8 per cent from 2010 is also provided for in the agreement.

The agreement was signed by Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, on the eve of the opening of the UN General Assembly in New York.

“The agreement represents the growing cooperation we have with the Australian Government. We are grateful for Australia’s long-term commitment to HIV and its leadership on AIDS in the Asia-Pacific region,” Mr Sidibé stated during the meeting which took place in New York. “Predictable funding and continuous engagement are of particular importance to the AIDS response in these difficult financial times to ensure that previous gains on AIDS are not reversed.”

The agreement includes shared goals and objectives for the cooperation between UNAIDS and Australia in the Asia Pacific region and includes funding of AUD 25.5 million (approximately USD 22 million) over three years. Credit: UNAIDS/Brad Hamilton

According to Stephen Smith the partnership with UNAIDS is of great value to the Australian Government who is particularly concerned about countries heavily affected by HIV in the Asia Pacific region. Australia’s Foreign Minister also looked forward to his country’s continued and growing collaboration with UNAIDS in supporting national AIDS responses, for example in Papua New Guinea.

The Australian Government’s overseas aid programme AusAID launched a new international HIV strategy earlier this year. “Intensifying the response: Halting the spread of HIV”  was released in April setting priorities that will guide Australia’s international development assistance to tackle the epidemic in the Asia-Pacific region. These priorities include increased and better targeted HIV prevention activities, particularly in high-risk groups; the integration of HIV prevention, treatment and care services into primary healthcare facilities; improved capacity to fund and deliver services; and a review and improvement in laws and policies to ensure people know their HIV status, receive treatment, and can access condoms and clean needles.

(from left) Nicolas Sarkozy President of France; Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, First Lady of France and Global fund Ambassador for the Protection of Mothers and Children against HIV/AIDS; Executive Director of the Global Fund, Michel Kazatchkine; Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. Credit: UNAIDS/B. Hamilton 

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy echoed UNAIDS call to virtually eliminate mother-to-child HIV transmission by 2015 while addressing the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and leaders at a side event to the opening of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The President of Burkina Faso Mr Blaise Compaoré and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Mr Meles Zenawi co-chaired the event.

“Around the world only a third of women living with HIV receive the necessary treatment to prevent the transmission. Isn’t it an immense injustice, that thousands of children still are born with HIV, when treatment exists, when no baby needs to be born with HIV?” asked the First Lady of France and the Global Fund’s Ambassador for the protection of mothers and children against AIDS. Ms Bruni-Sarkozy called on global leaders to double the number of HIV-positive pregnant women who receive effective antiretroviral treatment within 18 months.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a more ambitious approach: “We have effective drugs. There is no reason why any mother should die of AIDS. There is no cause for any child to be born with HIV,” he said. “If we work hard enough we can virtually eliminate mother-to-child transmission.”

(Front row of panel from left): Christina Rodriguez, community member; Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, First Lady of France and the Global Fund’s Ambassador for the protection of mothers and children against AIDS, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Credit: UNAIDS/B. Hamilton

Community member Christina Rodriguez, 17 years-old, from New York called for access to services for young people, and shared a moving personal testimony from Keren Gonzalez, 13 years-old, from Honduras, who could not attend the meeting. Morolake Odetoyinbo from Nigeria highlighted the importance of provinding treatment, care and support for mothers living with HIV so that they can stay alive and take care of their children, and called for urgent leadership to deliver on this life-saving commitment.

Other leaders participated in the event including President Sarkozy of France, President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, Prime Minister Balkenende of the Netherlands, as well as First Ladies of several countries.

Countries will work with the Global Fund, UNAIDS and UNICEF support to ensure rapid scale-up of programmes to prevent transmission of HIV from mothers to children. The Global Fund will support the switch from single-dose Nevirapine to more effective dual and triple therapy regimens in the next 18 months. More emphasis and funds will be applied to comprehensive programmes addressing reproductive health and the strengthening of maternal and child health services.

Executive Director Michel Sidibé UNAIDS has made the prevention of mothers from dying and babies from becoming infected with HIV a priority and it is one of the nine priority areas in the UNAIDS Outcome Framework 2009-2011.

A report published today by the AIDS, Security and Conflict Initiative (ASCI) provides new evidence and outlines recommendation for actions on the links between security, conflict, peacebuilding and HIV.

The report entitled HIV/AIDS, Security and Conflict: New Realities, New Responses is the result of a three year research programme lead by the ASCI. It brings together and summarizes findings from 29 studies using a variety of different qualitative and quantitative research approaches; the programme engaged research partners in 17 different countries. The studies cover four thematic areas: HIV and fragile states, uniformed services, humanitarian crisis and post-conflict transitions, and cross-cutting issues such as gender, data collection and measurement – as such the report provides key evidence for policy-making.

New approaches needed

Demonstrating the impact HIV has on security, the ASCI report outlines how security crises and security institutions can influence HIV incidence. Importantly, the study indicates that with good policy and appropriate programmes, challenges can be overcome. It recommends 10 ways in which efforts towards peacekeeping, peacebuilding and humanitarian response can integrate HIV issues. These include:  

• Greater attention to the links between violence against women, forced sex, and reaching out to people who control sex workers and sex trafficking.
• Address the gap in HIV services which can appear in the time between relief and development programmes. This can be addressed if HIV prevention, care, treatment and support are integrated into disarmament and demobilization efforts.
• Create awareness on how criminalization of injecting drug use, sex work and men who have sex with men alienate populations at higher risk making them harder to reach with HIV prevention and other health services.
• Explore the possible advantages of a “Command Centered Approach” by placing responsibility for AIDS policy at the highest level of command within the military to allow for armies to achieve both the highest level of effectiveness and best practices in HIV prevention, treatment and care.

Aligning efforts to prevent HIV

Commenting on the new report, Mr Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director, said: “these findings underscore the importance of aligning efforts to prevent sexual violence, and HIV prevention – these connections have yet to be well established within the global context of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.” The UNAIDS Outcome Framework 2009-2011 includes as two of its nine priority areas stopping violence against women and girls as well as removing punitive laws, practices, stigma and discrimination that block an effective response to AIDS. 

AIDS, Security and Conflict Initiative (ASCI)

ASCI is a joint global research initiative between the Social Science Research Council (New York) and Clingendael Institute for International Relations (the Hague), with the aim of  informing policy and programming through strengthening the evidence base and addressing critical gaps in knowledge on AIDS and security.

President of Swaziland AIDS Support Organization (SASO) Mr. Vusi Matgerula addressing the event on behalf of the people living with HIV movement in Swaziland. Credit: UNAIDS/G.Williams

Strengthening efforts towards a stigma-free work environment for United Nations staff living with HIV and their families, UN Plus has launched a new Friends of UN Plus initiative in Swaziland. Keeping up the momentum to break down barriers and silence around HIV in southern Africa, this will be followed by the launch of a similar initiative in Mozambique on September 23.

Friends of UN Plus is a novel initiative by UN Plus, an advocacy and support group comprising staff members who are living with HIV. UN Plus membership in the southern African region has doubled in the last year but many staff members living with HIV still feel fearful of disclosing their status. Although UN Plus has a non-disclosure policy, the reluctance to disclose HIV status reflects high stigma levels in society. The Friends initiative, therefore, is meant to provide a supportive environment to those who have reservations about being openly associated with UN Plus. It aims to be a forum through which the needs of HIV-positive staff and those caring for HIV-positive friends and family can be articulated and addressed.

Dr. Jama Gulaid, UNICEF Representative and UN HIV/AIDS Theme Group chair for Swaziland addressing the launch of Friends of UN+ in Mbabane, Swaziland on 17 September 2009. Credit: UNAIDS/G.Williams

''Today was a bold and decisive step we took for us to launch this initiative.  I am so glad that staff will now have a platform to share safely and a space for outreach.  It does not hurt to help and to reach out.  We can all do something to make life better for those in our families, offices and communities living with HIV," said an HIV positive staff member of the UN in Swaziland.

The country launches are designed to highlight workplace rights and continue the ongoing dialogue on human rights, treatment needs and challenges of people living with HIV. Through training, meetings, treatment literacy sessions and related activities the initiative aims to educate staff members about UN Plus’ contribution towards reduction of stigma and discrimination, promotion of social acceptance and increase of social, legal and leadership commitment for HIV at the UN system workplace.

Group photo of participants at the launch of Friends of UN Plus in Mbabane, Swaziland on 17 September 2009. Credit: UNAIDS/G.Williams

The Swaziland launch included a panel discussion where representatives of people living with HIV answered questions from the local press on issues of equality and rights. Two members of the local media joined the panel to share their experiences of how they cover stories of people living with HIV in a meaningful way.

Friends of UN Plus will operate in tandem with UN Cares, the UN HIV in the workplace programme, the UN Wellness Program and other workplace initiatives and agency-specific programmes that exist at country levels.