The pre-conference, a thought-leadership symposium sought to present, discuss, and interrogate the state-of-the-field evidence base for HIV-related stigma. It was a platform to discuss global financial, strategic and programmatic efforts to contextualize, implement and scale up effective stigma reduction and mitigation interventions. The latest results from a global systematic review were presented, alongside nuanced national case studies and examples of good practice, to situate the evidence base considering day-to-day realities for different communities in specific socio-cultural and policy contexts. The symposium also featured discussions based on current policy guidelines, original global and country-level research, and political documents to guide progress on stigma reduction and mitigation around the world.
In his opening remarks Rev Canon Gideon Byamugisha made it clear that embracing GODS GRACE & GOD’S LOVE are sufficient spiritual values to End Stigma & Discrimination. The INERELA+ Acting Executive Director in her presentation on the topic “The Role of Faith Based Organisations in Promoting Change and Advancing Human Rights Based” was emphatic on the need to promote evidence-based policies and practice that guarantee equality and access to services and to remove stigma and discrimination. She lamented that there is need to articulate models of justice and inclusion through religious structures by creating safe spaces for vulnerable populations.
The AIDS 2022 conference made it clear once again that progress happens when we come together and unleash the power of our movement. There is need to double down on our efforts to unite the voices of activists, policy makers and scientists. The insights and data shared by community-based organizations showed concretely how we can stop AIDS from snatching a life every minute and ways to tackle the inequalities driving the AIDS pandemic. New research showed that injectable PrEP is among the most effective tools for preventing HIV available and that it works well in multiple populations. The World Health Organization released new guidelines. Drugmaker ViiV also announced licenses for generic manufacturing of the drug in 90 countries which could be a game changer if ViiV can provide an affordable price for low- and middle-income countries.
Concerned by the stalling of progress for children, and the widening gap between children and adults, UNAIDS, UNICEF, WHO and partners brought together a global alliance to ensure that no child living with HIV is denied treatment by the end of the decade and to prevent new infant HIV infections.
Consultations by the alliance have identified four pillars for collective action:
- Closing the treatment gap for pregnant and breastfeeding adolescent girls and women living with HIV and optimizing continuity of treatment.
- Preventing and detecting new HIV infections among pregnant and breastfeeding adolescent girls and women.
- Accessible testing, optimized treatment, and comprehensive care for infants, children, and adolescents exposed to and living with HIV.
- Addressing rights, gender equality, and the social and structural barriers that hinder access to services.
On the positive note, at the AIDS 2022, Botswana was celebrated for surpassing the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, virtually eliminating HIV in a country once listed as the heart of the epidemic.