Take Action: YWCAs + HIV positive women = Safe Spaces

Where’s the Money for Universal Access?

Back in July 2005, leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, UK and USA) pledged to achieve universal access to antiretroviral treatment worldwide by 2010. Two months later, United Nations (UN) member states endorsed this goal and committed to "developing and implementing a package for HIV prevention, treatment and care with the aim of coming as close as possible to the goal of universal access to treatment by 2010 for all those who need it".

The number of people living with HIV globally is now at 33.4 million. Even though HIV infections have decreased by 17% over the last eight years, the number of new infections continues to outstrip the number of people on treatment; for every two people starting treatment, a further five become infected with the virus ^[1] . The response must keep pace with the epidemic if we are to witness real change in people’s lives.

While there has been a significant increase in AIDS-related expenditure over the past decade and innovative AIDS financing mechanisms, funding channels have been severely strained by the demands of the epidemic. ^[2] .

The global AIDS pandemic has lasted for nearly three decades and will continue to be a major health, social and financial issue for many years to come ^[3] . UNAIDS estimates that US $22.1 billion is needed annually to address the epidemic in low and middle-income countries. Total investments for AIDS reached $15.6 billion in 2008. While this is a 39% increase from 2007, a gap of US $6.5 billion remains. Modelling carried out for the AIDS 2031 project suggests that developing countries could require $35 billion annually by 2031 to address the pandemic - three times the current level ^[4] .

December 2010 marks the deadline for universal access. The majority of countries will not reach the target. However, if governments worldwide committed 0.5% of their Gross Domestic Product to international aid and maintained current proportions of AIDS investment, universal access would be achievable.

With the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on women and girls in many regions of the world, future AIDS funding must also be directed towards a gender sensitive response. This means greater investment in changing social, cultural and economic factors that put women and girls at risk. It includes allocating flexible and adequate funds to organisations that reach women and girls, providing appropriate services and ensuring equal opportunities.

^[1] UNAIDS AIDS Epidemic Update 2009

^[2] AIDS 2031

^[3] AIDS 2031

^[4] AIDS 2031 - Critical Choices In Financing The Response To The Global HIV/AIDS Pandemic