HIV/Aids
Nearly half of 37.2 million adults living with HIV are women, figures show.
The steepest increases have been in
As well as being biologically more vulnerable to infection than men, women are forced to have sex through violence or financial reasons, said UNAIDS.
The number of people living with HIV globally has also reached its highest.
Party Response: Liberal Democrats
Tom Brake, liberal democrat spokesman for International Development, said: "Despite growing awareness of the serious human rights violations which fuel and exacerbate the HIV/Aids epidemic, not enough is being done to eliminate Aids-related stigma and discrimination. We must lend a voice to the silent millions who suffer HIV-related human rights violations by appointing a special rapporteur on HIV/Aids and human rights at the UN."
Stakeholder Response: World Vision
Clive Bacon, HIV/Aids programme adviser, World Vision
"Research was piloted in
"World Vision found that the 'ABC' (Abstinence, Be faithful and use Condoms) strategy – which is a cornerstone of HIV/Aids prevention efforts in many countries – does not, in isolation, protect girls and women. It has failed because girls and women have not been allowed by men to practice the abstinence, faithful, condoms strategy.
"Another factor multiplying the risk of infection for girls is the fact that those who are orphaned or who are caring for parents living with Aids are often responsible to meet their families’ economic needs. In many cases girls engage in ‘survival sex’ to earn money or necessities such as food and school materials. UNICEF estimates there are now 12.3 million children orphaned by AIDS in sub-Saharan
"To fight AIDS successfully and to protect girls, the issues of gender roles, harmful cultural practice, discrimination and sexual violence must be tackled. These are the threats which millions of girls face. Without
tackling them, interventions based purely on promoting abstinence, faithfulness and condom use are simply irrelevant.
"At the United Nations general assembly special sessions on HIV and Aids which met in 2001, it was decided that 2005 should be the year by which commitments to protect and care for women must be addressed and met.
"By next year, governments should have strategies in place to protect women’s human rights and reduce their vulnerability to HIV/Aids through eliminating all forms of discrimination against women and girls, including harmful traditional and customary practices, abuse, rape and other forms of sexual violence, battering and trafficking in women and girls.
"On the eve of 2005 and indeed, World Aids Day, World Vision would encourage the international community to review current HIV/Aids prevention strategies and ensure they include measures to address the rights and equality of girls and women.
"There must also be an empowerment of women to allow them to negotiate their relationships and their sexual activity and engage boys and men in discussions about their assumptions regarding their own gender roles."
Stakeholder Response: Marie Stopes
Patricia Hindmarsh, MSI’s external relations director: "An independent survey was carried by NOP World on behalf of international sexual and reproductive health agencies Marie Stopes International (MSI) and Interact Worldwide. The results have been released to coincide with World AIDS Day.
"A high proportion of respondents – sixty per cent - agreed that they would have more sympathy for a person who contracts HIV/AIDS through a blood transfusion than from having promiscuous sex.
"This is particularly shocking as it shows that people are making judgements and assigning ‘blameworthiness’ in their response to the disease. AIDS doesn’t discriminate – people do."
"We need a new government funded campaign that tackles both public awareness and addresses the stigma that still surrounds HIV/AIDS.
"The last significant national public campaign was in the mid 80s and two generations of young people have become sexually active since then. This should be seen as a major priority."
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