HIV/AIDS & Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

The overwhelming majority of HIV infections are sexually transmitted or associated with pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. Underlying social and economic factors such as poverty and gender inequality contribute to both HIV transmission and poor sexual and reproductive health. By linking initiatives for sexual and reproductive health and HIV multiplies opportunities for preventing and treating sexually transmitted infections including HIV, providing family planning and maternal and child health services, and providing treatment and care for people living with HIV. Today, around 33 million people are living with HIV. Young people account for 40% of all new adult (15+) cases and women comprise 50% of people living with HIV.

To be able to tackle the HIV epidemic it is important to focus on the underlying causes. Gender inequality, discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and poverty are factors of key importance. That is why it is necessary to integrate both a poverty/power perspective and an equality perspective into efforts aimed at addressing the HIV epidemic.

Having an open dialogue about sexuality in relation to HIV and AIDS is of the utmost importance in coming to terms with the epidemic. Stigma associated with HIV/AIDS leads to difficulties negotiating safer sex and condom use, reluctance in getting tested and fear of telling family friends that they are living with HIV/AIDS. LGBT persons are exposed to double stigmatisation, especially in countries where homosexuality is illegal.

IFPA demands:

• HIV prevention and treatment programmes are strategically linked to sexual and reproductive health services;
• That all HIV programmes include sexuality education, and awareness raising regarding the rights of women, the young and LGBT persons;
• That greater resources are put into addressing the role of men in HIV prevention

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