6th Regional Conference in Sarajevo, May 17-18 2012.

1. Partnerships in Health
6th Regional Conference on HIV and AIDS
"Treatment of Co-Infections and Innovative
Approaches to prevention of HIV“
17-18 May 2012, Sarajevo
Mirela Kadribašić
National Project Coordinator

3. Introduction:
The HIV epidemic:
 There are 34 million people living with HIV
 Over half of those living with HIV are women
 New infections have declined in many countries
but have increased in others
 Prevention is key—HIV is not yet curable but it is
fully preventable
 HIV-related stigma and discrimination impede
effective HIV prevention efforts
Source: UNAIDS Global Report 2010
HIV and AIDS Recommendation, 2010 (No. 200)

4. HIV is a public health issue …
AND a human rights issue
 One-third of PLHIV have experienced loss of
employment and approximately half have
experienced some form of employment
discrimination
 Other forms of discrimination and stigma against
PLHIV are common
 Key vulnerable groups are most affected
Source: UNAIDS Global Report 2010
HIV and AIDS Recommendation, 2010 (No. 200)

5. HIV and the world of work
 90 % of people living with HIV are between 15 and
49 years of age
 The workplace is an ideal venue to reach both
women and men workers with prevention and
awareness-raising information
 By reaching workers we reach their spouses and
children and, through them, we reach local
communities
HIV and AIDS Recommendation, 2010 (No. 200)

6. Human rights violations in the workplace
Stigma & discrimination
and Gender Inequality

7. ILO and UN Action on HIV and human rights
International Instruments
 2001 Declaration of International Guidelines
Commitment on  1998 UNHCHR/UNAIDS
HIV/AIDS International Guidelines
 2006 Political on HIV/AIDS and Human
Declaration on HIV/AIDS Rights (revised in 2002
and 2006)
 The HIV and AIDS
Recommendation, 2010  2001 ILO Code of
(No. 200) practice on HIV/AIDS and
the world of work
 2011 Political
Declaration on HIV/AIDS

8. The HIV and AIDS Recommendation,
2010 (No. 200)
 Is the first international labour standard on HIV
and AIDS
 Builds on the ten key principles of the ILO Code
of practice (2001) and other international
instruments
 Addresses developments in the epidemic since
2001
 Provides for inclusion of the workplace as an
essential element of the HIV response
HIV and AIDS Recommendation, 2010 (No. 200)

9. Recommendation No. 200 - Key Principles
 HIV is a workplace issue  Right to continue in
 No discrimination employment (reasonable
accommodation)
 Gender equality
 Equal access to HIV
 A safe and healthy
prevention, treatment, care
workplace
and support services for
 Social dialogue workers and their families
 No mandatory testing or  Prevention as a priority
screening
 Protection of workers in
 Confidentiality and non- occupations at risk of HIV
disclosure transmission
HIV and AIDS Recommendation, 2010 (No. 200)

10. Non Discrimination
Real or perceived HIV status should not:
 Prevent equal access to employment or occupation
 Affect terms and conditions of employment, including
working conditions, remuneration and access to benefits
 Be a ground for dismissal
 Prevent people living with HIV-related illness from
continuing to work as long as they are medically fit, with
reasonable accommodation if necessary
HIV and AIDS Recommendation, 2010 (No. 200)

11. Testing and Confidentiality
 No workers, including job applicants, should be required
to undertake an HIV test or disclose their status
 HIV testing should be voluntary and respect guidelines on
confidentiality, counselling and consent
 The results of testing should not endanger access to jobs,
job security or opportunities for advancement
 Easily accessible dispute resolution procedures should be
made available for violations of these rights
HIV and AIDS Recommendation, 2010 (No. 200)

12. Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment
While HIV affects both men and women, women and girls
are at greater risk and more vulnerable to HIV infection.
They are also disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS
as a result of gender inequality.
For these reasons, women’s empowerment must be a key
factor in the HIV response.
HIV and AIDS Recommendation, 2010 (No. 200)

13. Ensuring Gender Equality in the Workplace
The Recommendation calls for workplace measures to:
 Ensure gender equality and empowerment of women
 Ensure prevention and prohibition of violence and
harassment in the workplace
 Promote the active participation of both men and women
in the HIV response, regardless of sexual orientation
 Promote the protection of sexual and reproductive health
and rights
HIV and AIDS Recommendation, 2010 (No. 200)

14. Prevention is a priority
Prevention strategies should take gender and cultural
concerns into account.
Workplace prevention programmes should include:
 Comprehensive education programmes for men and
women to reduce the risk of all forms of HIV transmission
 Measures to encourage voluntary counselling and testing
 Access to all means of prevention
HIV and AIDS Recommendation, 2010 (No. 200)

15. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION!