See http://www.un.org/webcast/aidsmeeting2008/index.asp?go=102 for the webcast.
The main themes that struck me coming out of the Civil Society hearing are:
- We must address factors excluding vulnerable groups from access to treatment, support and prevention, including legal restrictions that criminalise certain behaviours, certain populations and even being HIV positive. This includes lifting travel bans on HIV positive people.
- Grace Violetta spoke passionately about the need to overcome these legal barriers.
- Another issue highlighted was the lack of access to paediatric formulations of ARVS. Also that only 10% of HIV+ pregnant women in developing countries have access of PMTC services.
- Impressive presentation from a 16 year old HIV+ young woman from Australia - Stephanie Reaper. Her hopes for her studies, marriage and parenthood were very moving and encouraging. Her plea for others in her situation to be allowed the same opportunities are to be taken seriously.
- Business and labour unions need to be actively engaged in prevention, care and maintaining the rights and well being of those with HIV in the workplace.
- Finally, a challenge. As several countries (including, as I have noted before the USA) have failed to report, we have a real gap in knowing how far off target we are for 2010. And how can we increase accountability of governments that are not democratic, when we are struggling to get democratic nations to be more accountable.
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