One important way to mobilise more resources and achieve a greater programmatic impact is by harnessing the full range of assets, capacities and innovations business has to offer – whether they be financial, technical or institutional.

Our Gender Action Plan is a tool for transformative change with its targets and commitments paving the way towards a gender-equal workplace. I am proud to share that within just one year, we have made remarkable progress. We have put in motion nine and successfully accomplished eleven of the 30 commitments.

On Zero Discrimination Day this year, UNAIDS is highlighting the urgent need to take action against discriminatory laws.

In many countries, laws result in people being treated differently, excluded from essential services or being subject to undue restrictions on how they live their lives, simply because of who they are. Such laws are discriminatory—they deny human rights and fundamental freedoms. 

Ending discrimination and changing laws is the responsibility of us all. Everyone can play a part in ending discrimination and can try to make a difference, in ways both big and small. The Zero Discrimination Day 2019 campaign challenges people to act against laws that discriminate in their country. 

In accordance with the regional targets, national catch-up plans have been put in place in 18 countries in western and central Africa.