World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day, December 1, is one of the most recognised international health days and a key opportunity to raise further awareness in communities and across the world about the state of the pandemic and critical next steps that must be taken to halt its spread.
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World AIDS Day calling for Universal Access and Human Rights
For the last 22 years, December 1st has marked World AIDS Day (WAD). Initially launched in 1988, WAD hopes to raise awareness on HIV, especially on human rights that are crucial to a successful AIDS response. The day is also important for remembering and honouring those who have died because of the lack of human rights and access to treatment care and support. The theme for this year’s WAD is “Universal Access and Human Rights,” to address the critical need to protect human rights and attain universal access for all to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. It also acts as a call for countries to remove punitive and other laws that discriminate against people living with HIV.
World YWCA statement for World AIDS Day 2009
Women, HIV and Rights
The latest research on women’s health indicates that lack of contraception and unsafe sex are the crucial risk factors for death and disability in women of reproductive age (15 – 49 years old). Unsafe sex can result in unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortions, reproductive complications and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death and disability among 15 - 19 years old young women living in developing countries (1). Globally, for women of reproductive age, AIDS related illnesses are the leading cause of death and disease. Women’s health, especially their sexual and reproductive health, is therefore an important issue for the wellbeing and development of future generations and the communities they live in.