Women4GlobalFund (W4GF), The International Community of Women Living HIV (ICW) and the Communities Delegation to the Board of the Global Fund would like to congratulate and thank donor and implementing governments, the private sector, the Global Fund secretariat, and especially civil society and communities living and affected by HIV, TB and malaria that worked tirelessly to reach the $12.9 billion replenishment outcome. The Global Fund is an essential partnership and funding mechanism between governments, civil society, the private sector and communities living with and affected by HIV, TB and malaria, and the successes of the Replenishment Conference to end the epidemics would not be possible without this financial commitment.
The Global Fund Strategy 2017 – 2022: Investing to End Epidemics will not be achieved without this financial commitment and demonstrated global solidarity. Those of us living with and affected by HIV, TB and malaria depend on access to essential medications and services that ensure the Global Fund is on track to save 22 million lives by the end of 2016. US$12.9 billion for the next three years is a commitment to the health and lives of communities living with and affected by the three diseases, including women and girls in all their diversity.
With a fully funded Global Fund we hope to see interventions in countries go beyond the traditional biomedical approaches as the Global Fund’s Strategy (2017 – 2022) takes a strong stand on strengthening the response to HIV, TB and malaria by supporting programs that address gender inequalities and gender-related risks and removing gender related barriers that prevent people from accessing health services.
“This is an exciting moment for all our communities as we see donors and governments from around the world acknowledge this critical time in the HIV response and commit funds that will not only prevent deaths from HIV, TB and malaria but also ensure those of us living with HIV live longer healthier lives. We especially commend the new Global Fund donors in addition to traditional donors that have increased their investments. The pledges are a sign that partners from around the globe have commitment to fight the three diseases. It is proof that when united, we can transform lives.” Ms Rebecca Matheson, Global Director, International Community of Women Living with HIV.
According to the Global Fund Results Report 2016 released early this month, programmes supported by the Global Fund have saved 20 million lives, and cumulative results through the end of 2015 shows there have been one-third fewer deaths from AIDS, TB and malaria in the countries where the Global Fund invests. The Global Fund’s shared financing requirement stimulates domestic investment in health, which ensures the gains are sustainable and builds shared global responsibility for health. The report notes that to date, countries supported by the Global Fund have committed an additional US$6 billion to their health programs for 2015-2017 compared to 2012-2014 – a 41 percent increase. With affected countries in the lead, and with the majority of funding for these programmes now coming from domestic sources, the Global Fund can further accelerate progress together with all partners in global health to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Universal Health Coverages – and leave no one behind.
W4GF Advocate Ms Talent Madziva from Katswe Sisterhood (member of the Zimbabwean CCM) reacted to the replenishment saying, “The replenishment demonstrates that the development community is taking ending AIDS seriously and this commitment puts us on the right path. These resources need to be prioritised correctly! Whilst we celebrate this replenishment we need to implement the right programmes and respond in accountable ways that places women and key population at the centre of responses – ensuring we are part of shaping and monitoring programmes and services) to achieve the right results.”
W4GF, ICW and the Communities Delegation commits to work closely with advocates in countries who remain unequivocal champions of the rights and needs of women and girls – especially key affected women who are also beneficiaries of the Global Fund. Women in communities are playing a key role in ensuring the right programmes and services are reaching women in implementing countries and supporting global health and development but this would not be at all possible without the financial support from the Global Fund!
The International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (ICW) is the voice of, and represents women living with HIV, in all our diversity. ICW works in 120 countries and through 10 regional networks.[1] ICW is committed to addressing the multiple oppressions experienced by women living with HIV globally. For more information contact ICW Global Director –Ms Rebecca Matheson at globaldirector@iamicw.org.
The Communities Delegation to the Board of the Global Fund (Communities Delegation) is a voting constituency on the Board of the Global Fund representing communities living with HIV and affected by TB and malaria. The Communities Delegation brings the voices from communities into Global Fund decision-making processes and policy making to ensure that programmes and policies benefit the communities who receive prevention, treatment, care and support in Global Fund Implementing countries. For more information, please contact Rachel Ong, Communications Focal Point, Communities Delegation, rachel.ong@globalfundcommunitiesdelegation.org.
Women4GlobalFund (W4GF) is a dynamic and global platform of women and gender equality advocates who share a deep commitment to ensuring that Global Fund programmes are gender-transformative to meet the rights and specific needs of women and girls in all their diversity. For more information, please contact Sophie Dilmitis, Global Coordinator, W4GF, sophie@women4gf.org.
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[1]Asia Pacific, Caribbean, Central Africa, East Africa, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), North America, Southern Africa, and West Africa