Fifty four women from 21 African countries representing 41 national, regional and international women’s organizations in Africa; comprising of HIV and AIDS organizations, feminist associations and human rights institutions, meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa between April 6 and 7, 2006 to formulate advocacy positions on women’s rights in the context of HIV and AIDS expressed outrage at the conduct of the defence lawyers, the media, the courts and the police in the rape trial of the deputy President of the African National Congress, ANC, Jacob Zuma; concern at the twin epidemics of Violence Against Women and HIV and AIDS; and solidarity with Khwezi for bravely reporting her experience; and for showing respect for the mechanisms that exist in South Africa to report and resolve crimes.
Equity and HIV/AIDS
Local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based organization(FBOs), and community-based organizations (CBOs) have always been and continue to be a driving force in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In many countries, they have been responsible for the majority of the resources reaching individuals and have played a leading role in developing and implementing sustainable strategies to mitigate and prevent HIV/AIDS. In December 2005, Pact's Community REACH program released this important document entitled "Engaging Local NGOs in the Response to HIV/AIDS", highlighting their essential role in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Major drug companies are still not making life-saving drugs available to millions of people with HIV/AIDS in the developing world, according to the charity Médécins Sans Frontières (MSF). Basic three-drug cocktails in a single pill are being slowly rolled out to some who need them, but doctors fear many of those people will die within a few years if they cannot get hold of alternative drugs that are widely available in Western countries.
There is growing evidence that education improves the chances of girls to build a better future for themselves and their families. The Global Coalition on Women and AIDS argues that abolishing school fees, providing cash grants and introducing flexible schooling are all ways to help increase girls' enrolment in school. Policies and interventions must also take the needs of HIV positive girls into consideration. The International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS calls for continued access to education for HIV positive girls, as well as systems to fight discrimination against HIV positive girls.
Recent political events such as the Make Poverty History campaign, the Live8 concerts, the G8 summit in Scotland, the World Trade talks in Hong Kong, and the broader background of "globalisation" have turned attention towards the global picture concerning inequalities in health. In this article we ask two questions: what is the state of inequality in health and wealth across the globe? and, is inequality increasing or decreasing over time?
An Old Mututal Survey of 100 South African companies found that most companies were unaware of the number of HIV-positive people in their workplaces, noting that 25 companies had conducted prior prevalence testing. Compared with a few years ago, companies are more conscious of the risk HIV/AIDS poses to their business, according to the survey. While all employees polled had access to antiretroviral drugs,only a minority of companies had established disease management programs.
The HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa is widely recognised as a development disaster threatening poverty reduction, economic growth and not merely a health issue. Its mitigation includes the societal-wide adoption and implementation of specific health technologies, many of which depend on functional institutions and State. For international public health policies to be effective, they must consider a country tailored approach, one that advocates a coordinated strategy designed and led by the State with involvement of wider society specific to each country's particular history, culture, and level of development.
For businesses, the daily cost of managing HIV/Aids can be a bitter pill to swallow. Statistics reveal an alarming situation: the pressure on business is considerable and costs ballooning. If no action is taken to manage the epidemic, profitability will be affected adversely. This article discusses this impact of HIV/Aids on the workplace.
Home based care of HIV/AIDS patients is a health need recommended but not often available in Africa. Population based assessment helps to identify unmet health needs to plan services. Careful assessment and follow up of patients receiving home based care in a defined population of Bangwe, Malawi provides details of the frequency and severity of common symptoms.
Three years ago the Guardian published an award-winning supplement featuring the story of Grace Mathanga, an ordinary African woman with HIV. To launch this year's Christmas appeal, which focuses on Aids in Africa, Sarah Boseley returns to Malawi to find out how Grace is doing now, and what her life can tell us about the future of the continent.