We commend our governments for the tremendous efforts in recognizing the importance of promoting gender equity, by putting in place mechanisms including the policy framework and also signing the international and regional human rights instruments and treaties that promote gender equality, conform to and protect the human rights of people including women living with HIV (WLHIV).
As we commemorate the International Women’s day and celebrate the many achievements that women have attained over the years, this year’s global theme ‘Inspiring Change’ challenges us but also encourages advocacy for women living with HIV advancement everywhere.
We nevertheless, recognise that there is limited commitment to use the available legal frameworks to facilitate access to justice by WLHIV who experience violence on day to day basis.
Ending violence against women is not only an urgent human rights need—it is critical to ending AIDS. Violence or the fear of violence prevents women from negotiating safer sex, thus putting them in a vulnerable situation.
