Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - November 27, 2006
The growing feminization of the HIV epidemic is not just due to biological factors but more the consequence of the social vulnerability of many women and girls, including from rape, sexual exploitation and trafficking. "The epidemic of sexual and gender-based violence must be considered as an emergency in its own right," says Dr Mukesh Kapila, the International Federation's Special Representative for HIV and AIDS.
Women and girls living with HIV also face the additional challenge of stigma and marginalization. The International Federation is also taking on the wider challenge of fighting the stigma which affects all groups of people living with HIV, through a global campaign.
"For the last two years, the International Federation has been running the 'Come Closer' campaign, which aims to encourage communities to dispel myths and fears about HIV transmission," explains Bernard Gardiner, manager of the HIV and AIDS Unit at the International Federation. "This year again, many Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies will hold events and activities with organizations of people living with HIV," he notes.
Exactly one month before World AIDS Day, the International Federation launched a US$300 million appeal to combat HIV and AIDS in Southern Africa, the world's worst affected region. The funds will be used to convey prevention messages to some 50 million people, provide care for 250,000 people living with HIV and support 460,000 vulnerable children, particularly orphans.
"This appeal heralds a broader call for mobilization, with a 100 per cent increase in our global commitment to fight the epidemic, using our unique community-based approach that includes prevention, care, treatment, and fighting stigma and discrimination," says Dr. Kapila, adding: "We must do much more, and we must do much better. That is why we are launching today a Global Red Cross Red Crescent Alliance on HIV and AIDS."
This will contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goal of reversing HIV spread by advocating and enabling universal access to prevention, care, treatment and support, and doubling the number of direct participants and beneficiaries in Red Cross and Red Crescent HIV and AIDS programmes in low and middle income countries.
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