A high-ranking UN official has stated that laws against homosexuality hinder individuals from receiving crucial healthcare services and greatly hinder efforts to eradicate HIV.
In approximately sixty-seven nations, engaging in homosexual activities is considered a criminal offense, with a significant portion of these countries located in Africa, the continent with the highest rate of HIV. Research from UNAids shows that in these nations, the prevalence of HIV among gay men is about five times higher compared to countries where same-sex relationships are not prohibited.
According to Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of UNAids, the stigmatization and criminalization of LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized communities hinders their ability to obtain crucial healthcare services, which ultimately weakens the efforts to combat HIV.
Earlier this year, Uganda implemented one of the most severe laws against LGBTQ+ individuals, with the punishment for engaging in gay sex being life imprisonment. Additionally, “aggravated homosexuality,” which includes the transmission of HIV, is punishable by death. The law also makes it a crime for individuals to not report same-sex acts to the police.
The implementation of this law has resulted in an increase of human rights abuses and a decrease in access to HIV prevention and treatment resources for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
According to Lois Chingandu, the head of external relations for Frontline AIDS, countries should increase their efforts to invest in HIV prevention methods and take a more proactive stance against anti-rights beliefs. She also noted that well-funded and organized groups are spreading anti-gender and anti-LGBTQ+ messages.
On 1 December, in anticipation of World AIDS Day, the United Nations reported that one person dies from the disease every minute. In the previous year, 1.3 million individuals contracted HIV, and approximately 9.2 million individuals with the condition were unable to receive treatment. Gay men, transgender individuals, sex workers, and drug users are some of the most impacted groups.
In sub-Saharan Africa, adolescent girls and young women face a significant risk of contracting HIV. Every week, 3,100 girls and women between the ages of 15 and 24 become infected, making up 77% of all new infections among young people worldwide.
According to Byanyima, girls and young women are at a higher risk due to their potential exposure to gender-based violence, as well as the opposition towards sexual education in educational institutions.
The report stated that out of the 120 countries with a national plan for condom programming, only 39 supported promoting condom use in secondary schools and only 21 permitted distribution.
Byanyima stated that denying young people access to sexual education increases their vulnerability to HIV. She also believes that the current global trend of limiting rights not only endangers democracy and personal liberty, but also poses a threat to the overall health of society.
During the report launch on Wednesday, Byanyima stated that there have been notable achievements in the battle against HIV and Aids. While a cure or vaccine for the virus is still unavailable, approximately 30 million individuals worldwide are receiving treatment, which can prevent it from developing into Aids. Additionally, there has been a 60% decrease in new infections since 1995 and a 70% decline in deaths since 2004.
In the previous year, five nations – Botswana, Eswatini, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe – successfully met the 2025 global goals of having 95% of individuals with HIV aware of their status, 95% receiving antiretroviral treatment, and 95% of those on treatment achieving viral suppression.
The Population Council announced on Thursday that a vaginal ring has been approved for use in 11 African countries to aid women in reducing their risk of HIV infection.
The ring is composed of pliable silicone and gradually dispenses the antiretroviral medication dapivirine into the vaginal area for a duration of one month.
According to Jim Sailer, the interim co-president of the council, women are disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This virus poses a significant threat to the health and overall well-being of women. In order to achieve the sustainable development goal of ending HIV by 2030, it is crucial that we address this epidemic among women. It is imperative that women have access to multiple methods of protecting themselves against this lifelong disease.
Source: theguardian.com
