Health Rights=Healthy Women: A Commitment to Halt the Feminization of AIDS

Health Action AIDS Campaign Every human being is entitled to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health conducive to living a life in dignity

Every human being is entitled to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health conducive to living a life in dignity

AIDS is both a product of and exacerbated by human rights violations These violations of human rights include: Violence and Discrimination Against Women Lack of Access to Healthcare for the Poor and Marginalized Widespread Discrimination Against PLWAs

These violations of

human rights include:

Violence and Discrimination Against Women

Lack of Access to Healthcare for the Poor and Marginalized

Widespread Discrimination Against PLWAs

Campaign Goals and Objectives Recruit/mobilize health professionals and students in the fight against global AIDS and for human rights Together with HPs and students, advocate for: * Increased and sustained US funding to fight the pandemic * Evidence and human rights-based prevention and treatment strategies * Stronger public health systems in resource poor settings Together with African partners, mobilize Ugandan/Kenyan HPs and students to advocate for better AIDS policies in their countries

Recruit/mobilize health professionals and students in the fight against global AIDS and for human rights

Together with HPs and students, advocate for:

* Increased and sustained US funding to fight

the pandemic

* Evidence and human rights-based

prevention and treatment strategies

* Stronger public health systems in

resource poor settings

Together with African partners, mobilize Ugandan/Kenyan HPs and students to advocate for better AIDS policies in their countries

Botswana/Swaziland Report: Epidemic of Inequality Four Key Factors leading to infection: Lack of control over sexual decision making HIV related stigma/discrimination Gender-discriminatory beliefs Failure of government & traditional leadership to promote equality and economic independence

Four Key Factors leading to infection:

Lack of control over sexual decision making

HIV related stigma/discrimination

Gender-discriminatory beliefs

Failure of government & traditional leadership to promote equality and economic independence

Health Rights=Healthy Women

Women and HIV/AIDS The rate of HIV among women and girls is rising dramatically. We believe that the global response to AIDS has failed women.

The rate of HIV among women and girls is rising dramatically.

We believe that the global response to AIDS has failed women.

Three specific interventions Rights-based health systems Educated and empowered healthcare workers Comprehensive HIV prevention programs

Rights-based health systems

Educated and empowered healthcare workers

Comprehensive HIV prevention programs

Rights-based Health Systems Woman and girl friendly Ensures confidentially Safe from discrimination

Woman and girl friendly

Ensures confidentially

Safe from discrimination

Rights-based Health Systems Available Accessible Comprehensive= fully integrated services HIV prevention & care Reproductive health Family planning STI Trauma

Available

Accessible

Comprehensive= fully integrated services

HIV prevention & care

Reproductive health

Family planning

STI

Trauma

Rights-based Health Systems Governments recognize and support programs that recognize the social determinants of health: Comprehensive referral system to community programs Strong linkages between health system and community services that protect and empower women

Governments recognize and support programs that recognize the social determinants of health:

Comprehensive referral system to community programs

Strong linkages between health system and community services that protect and empower women

Educated and Empowered Healthcare Workers Health workers must be : educated and supported in providing HIV prevention messaging and counseling. educated and sensitized to the fact that women have sexual and reproductive rights. educated to assess for sexual violence and domestic abuse.

Health workers must be :

educated and supported in providing HIV prevention messaging and counseling.

educated and sensitized to the fact that women have sexual and reproductive rights.

educated to assess for sexual violence and domestic abuse.

Educated and Empowered Healthcare Workers Health workers must: understand the importance of a strong, well integrated health care system; have information & access to community resources; Be educated: anti-stigma awareness and sensitivity.

Health workers must:

understand the importance of a strong, well integrated health care system;

have information & access to community resources;

Be educated: anti-stigma awareness and sensitivity.

Comprehensive HIV Prevention Programs HIV Prevention Programs must be: Respectful of and promote women’s human rights Comprehensive Scientifically based Results-oriented Beyond ABC

HIV Prevention Programs must be:

Respectful of and promote women’s human rights

Comprehensive

Scientifically based

Results-oriented

Beyond ABC

Words of Dr. Ogada….. “ Social justice requires that I am a normal, bona fide, healthy wholesome Kenyan. I’m not asking for a favour – if anything I should be praised, recognized, thanked . As a woman I am creating the future of Africa. Thank you.”

“ Social justice requires that I am a normal, bona fide, healthy wholesome Kenyan. I’m not asking for a favour – if anything I should be praised, recognized, thanked . As a woman I am creating the future of Africa. Thank you.”