By Tomi Jaiyeola, Humanitas Global
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) recently released their 2014 Gap report that showed that while there has been a decline in AIDS related deaths, globally, there are still 19 million out of the 35 million people living with the virus that are unaware of their HIV-positive status. WOW! This goes to show that the battle is not over and the why the conversation is still going on – and needs to happen.
The International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014) is where that conversation is happening. Those working in the field of HIV, including scientists, medical practitioners, activists, policymakers, people living with HIV and others committed to ending the AIDS epidemic are making their way towards Melbourne, Australia for the 20th AIDS 2014 conference. The AIDS 2015 Conference will be held from 20–25 July 2014 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre with over 14,000 participants from nearly 200 countries projected to attend. High-level speakers for the conference include President Bill Clinton, founder of the Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States and UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé.
Those attending the conference have a lot to tackle and to celebrate. Progress has been made. In the past three years alone, AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 19%, which represents the largest decline in the past 10 years. The percentage of those living with HIV who are not receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been reduced from 90% in 2006 to 63% in 2013. Also, providing access to ART for pregnant women living with HIV has averted more than 900,000 new HIV infections among children since 2009.
Source:www.aids2014.org
Though progress has been made, there are still regions and certain groups of people that lack access to treatment due to financial constraints and policy restrictions. According to Melbourne-based co-chair Sharon Lewin and the UNAIDS Gap report, there are 78 countries with laws that criminalize homosexuality; and in some countries like Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Mauritania, it is punishable by death. This means that people will refuse to identify as homosexual to avoid prosecution – therefore they won’t get tested and they won’t get the treatment they need.
Stigma and discrimination are one of the issues that will be addressed during the conference. The conference, themed Stepping up the Pace, will also address the issues of funding, scientific advances and the search for a vaccine.
Read more about how you can get involved and make your voice heard here: http://www.youraids2014.org/.You can also participate virtually by following the conference online or tweet along, using #AIDS2014. For more information, check out this promotional video and visit the website.