Inequality of power is driving the HIV epidemic among women and girls
This morning I attended a meeting of the Global HIV Prevention Coalition and met with a group of women leaders. I felt so inspired and moved by their stories of resilience, courage and hope. But I also felt - I feel - a lot of anger. And I want you to feel angry too.
Let's talk about how women and girls are infected with HIV. This is not a question about biology. It is a statement about inequality of power.
Women and girls are infected with HIV when they experience violence, and, often it is at the hands of someone they love and trust.
Women and girls are infected with HIV when their partners and their governments deny them control of their bodies and their right to sexual and reproductive healthcare.
Women and girls are infected with HIV when they don't have access to the education and health services that they need to protect themselves.
When I first heard about HIV more than 30 years ago, I knew that women and girls would be the worst affected and the epidemic would rage on until we tackled gender inequality and gender-based violence. When I said this at the time, I was laughed at, told that I was always trying to make everything about women.
No one can laugh now, not when 6 200 young women and girls are infected with the virus every week. So, what do we do now? Here are three basic steps to get us started.
First, we must include women and girls in all our discussions. I have been overwhelmed by the number of #whatwomenwant messages sent to me since my appointment. I have heard you on Twitter, now I want to hear you in all our meetings and workshops and down every corridor at UNAIDS.
Second, we must listen - really listen - to what women and girls want. Without the communities led by women infected and affected by HIV, we wouldn't be where we are today in the AIDS response. They know what they are talking about.
Finally, we must get angry and we must fight for gender equality and women’s rights and against gender-based violence. We cannot afford to spend another 30 years failing women and girls. If we don't put them at the centre of our response to AIDS, we will never end the epidemic.
Public Relations and Community Engagement Officer at ECUREI Diagnostic Imaging Centre
4yGreat work, i think this should be each and everyone's role. Communities should be encouraged to participate in this process of change because at the end of the day two heads are better than one and this should involve not only women and girls but also men, children, governments among others. For change to occur the efforts should be collective
CEO/FOUNDER at GALAXY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INC
4yHIV /Aids needs a multi sectoral approach. we need all people of all walks to join in the fight against HIV/Aids. Inequality against women, poverty, Gender based violence and other discriminating acts just worsen the situation. We need a global call to fight HIV/Aids and Governments must come together to fight this vice that has and is continuing to kill millions of people around the world and affecting billions more altogether.
Registration Officer
4yI like the way you are doing your things but we still need more help if we are to end HIV because some rural villages in some countries like here in Uganda have not had any sensitization and that means they are just depending on Gods mercy
Campaign Volunteer Coordinator. at Oxfam Scotland
4yHappy New Year and all the best too all the Oxfam Volunteers and Staff's for 2020. Twitter. @OxBooksByresRd @oxfamgb @OxfamScotland @oxfamcampaigns @Oxfam @OxfamEU @OxfamBooksREX @OxfamMusicByres @Winnie_Byanyima @JamiePolitics @sara_cowan @weechops @MusedLindsey @oxfamgbpolicy
Human Anatomy Bachelor's degree at University of Maiduguri, Master in Public Health at the University of Wolverhampton United Kingdom
4yThis is a job well done... I also did a project on HIV sensitization and prevention while I was at Benue state... I do not mind being a part of your team