VISION ZERO NEW HIV INFECTIONS. ZERO DISCRIMINATION. ZERO AIDS-RELATED DEATHS.

Why is HIV a public health issue? Why is HIV a political issue? Why is HIV a social justice and human rights issue? Why is HIV a theological issue?

HIV as a public health issue In 20 years ( ) the numbers of people living with HIV rocketed to 27.5 million

History of a new and different disease: People living with HIV responded with urgency - advocacy and activism

Global summary of the AIDS epidemic  million [31.6 million–35.2 million] 30.1 million [28.4 million–31.5 million] 16.8 million [15.8 million–17.6 million] 3.4 million [3.0 million–3.8 million] 2.7 million [2.4 million–2.9 million] 2.3 million [2.1 million–2.5 million] [ – ] 1.8 million [1.6 million–1.9 million] 1.5 million [1.4 million–1.6 million] [ – ] Number of people living with HIV People newly infected with HIV in 2010 AIDS deaths in 2010 Total Adults Women Children (<15 years) Total Adults Children (<15 years) Total Adults Children (<15 years)

HIV as a political issue? A highly complex public health issue Risks to public health, national economies and security when prevalence is high Social inequities and restricted human rights decrease individual choices around HIV prevention To mount an effective public health response to a complex epidemic strong political leadership is needed Costs of an effective response are significant and require strong political commitment ($22 billion per year by 2015)

 50%  in sexual transmission of HIV  50%  of HIV among people who inject drugs  50%  TB deaths in people living with HIV  Ensure no children are born with HIV and reduction of AIDS-related maternal deaths  15 million on antiretroviral treatment Bold new targets for 2015

The Way Forward The UNAIDS strategy sets out the way ahead in three Strategic Directions 1.Revolutionize HIV prevention: 2.Catalyse the next phase of treatment, care and support. 3.Advance human rights and gender equality for the HIV response

HIV and AIDS as a justice issue “AIDS is a justice issue, not primarily a sex issue. … Perhaps an even more basic issue than economic and gender relations in the countries most affected by AIDS is the justice of the interlocking local and global economic systems that disrupt traditional societies, displace economic and educational infrastructures, and cut off access to kinds of prevention and treatment of disease whose efficacy in Europe and North America is well established “ Sowle-Cahill

Justice and Human Rights are linked Inequity becomes injustice when people are denied their inherent right to “human dignity and the full range of rights accorded by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights” AIDS exacerbates inequity and injustice: in turn, inequity and injustice increase vulnerability to HIV infection. One cannot be understood without understanding the other

Human Rights and Human Dignity “How societies treat [HIV] and [people living with HIV] will not only test fundamental values but will likely make the difference between success and failure of AIDS strategies at national level. To the extent that we exclude [people with HIV] from society, we endanger society, to the extent that we maintain [them] in society, we protect society. This is the message of realism and of tolerance.” Jonathan Mann, Statement at an informal briefing on AIDS of the 42 nd Session of the UN General Assembly, 1987.

Stigma and Discrimination

Gender Inequity The epidemic disproportionately affects women and young girls

HIV and AIDS as a religious and theological issue Roles of the faith community in the HIV response have been in: pastoral care and the faith community as a healing community, theology and ethics, and justice and human rights

Partnerships with faith based organizations: UNAIDS Strategic Framework

June 26, 2015 UNAIDS Priority areas for UNAIDS partnership with faith-based organizations Three levels-  Religious leaders  Faith inspired NGOs- FBOs  Local Faith Communities For each level on each issue- Two- to- four outputs Prioritized strategic approaches to UN/FBO partnership action on each issue Ten issues-  Prevention  Treatment  Care and support  Youth  Children and orphans  People living with HIV  Gender  Key populations  Stigma and discrimination  Human Rights, dignity and justice

AIDS as a challenge to the faith community Issues which generate stigma and discrimination in society can also pose a challenge to the theology and teachings of faith communities. AIDS presents challenges to resources, both human and financial.

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