AIDS epidemic turnaround and the journey continues

Ashley Mwanza

TODAY (1 December 2010) marks the twenty-second anniversary of World AIDS Day. Though we should be working to bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic more than one day per year, I do encourage you to take some time today to educate yourself and those around you about AIDS in today's world.

As we mark World Aids Day once again, it's worth us each stopping to consider the scale of this tragic disease - and to consider what we as individuals might be able to do to alleviate the problem. But when the headlines reflect such a massive worldwide problem, it's easy to feel overwhelmed; it's easy to raise our hands in despair and say, "What can I possibly do to alleviate a problem that's become so huge?" This is one of the big challenges of our time and history will judge our generation.

A new UNAIDS report claims the world has finally “turned the corner” on the AIDS epidemic, citing a downward trend in new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths over the past decade and stabilization of the number of people living with HIV globally. But Brian Pazvakavambwa of the World Health Organisation said, “a lot of work still needs to be done, we need to continue expanding and linking all parts of the response; if we can link our programmes better we can do better in terms of all health outcomes.”

The theme for World AIDS Day 2010 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. Global leaders have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and care, recognising these as fundamental human rights. Valuable progress has been made in increasing access to HIV and AIDS services, yet greater commitment is needed around the world if the goal of universal access is to be achieved. Millions of people continue to be infected with HIV every year. In low- and middle-income countries, less than half of those in need of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy are receiving it, and too many do not have access to adequate care services.

The protection of human rights is fundamental to combating the global HIV and AIDS epidemic. Violations against human rights fuel the spread of HIV, putting marginalised groups, at a higher risk of HIV infection. By promoting individual human rights, new infections can be prevented and people who have HIV can live free from discrimination. World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us - individuals, communities and political leaders - to take action and ensure that human rights are protected and global targets for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care are met.

The stark reality is that when AIDS first started, no one could have predicted how the epidemic would spread across the world and how many millions of lives it would change. There was no real idea what caused it and consequently no real idea how to protect against it. Now we know from bitter experience that the HIV virus is the cause of AIDS and that it can devastate families, communities and whole continents. We have seen the epidemic knock decades off countries’ national development, widen the gulf between rich and poor nations and push already stigmatized groups closer to the margins of society. We are living in an 'international' society, and HIV has become the first truly 'international' epidemic, easily crossing oceans and borders. Orphans and other children from households affected by the AIDS epidemic frequently experience negative consequences. Many encounter stigma and discrimination. One of the most tragic consequences of the epidemic for the children is the way it deprives them of their childhood and of their right to happiness. Child after child watches helplessly as AIDS snatches both of these away. It transforms many amongst them into adults before their time - juvenile adults who must care for the sick, generate income, head households, and assume responsibilities beyond their years.

In 1990, the World Summit for Children proclaimed that childhood should be a time of 'joy and peace, of playing, learning and growing’. But for millions of children, the reality of childhood is altogether different because of the way the AIDS epidemic deprives them of their right to rest and play. It deprives them of their right to happiness. When children enjoy that right again, then we will know that we have conquered AIDS.

When the sound of healthy, happy, laughing children fills homes, schools and villages, then we can be certain that we are entering a world without AIDS. That is their right. We still have a long way to go. Much has been achieved but the momentum must be maintained or the hard-won achievements of the past two decades risk being reversed. Let us be involved.