Inextricable links: HIV and human rights

A version of this post originally appeared on Devex. Reposted with permission.


Inextricable links: HIV and human rights

Addressing HIV requires that we address human rights issues, including strengthening the agency of key populations and their access to health and social justice.

The AIDS epidemic has been characterized by the stigma and discrimination of people who are all too often already on the margins of society.

This marginalization has made it more difficult for millions of people on every continent to access much-needed HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services. As we recognize International Human Rights Day on Dec. 10, we cannot lose sight of the inextricable link between HIV and human rights, which should be the cornerstone of our response to and understanding of this epidemic.

And there is, perhaps, reason for cautious optimism. Despite some policy gains and increased global attention, HIV continues to disproportionately affect “key populations” — men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who inject drugs and transgender people. UNAIDS estimates that 40 to 50 percent of new adult HIV infections worldwide occur among key populations and their partners.

Read the remainder of the blog here.

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