HIV/AIDS
34 million people worldwide have HIV/AIDS. In 2010, 2.7 million people were newly infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and 1.8 million people died from Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Infected people – almost 23 million – live almost exclusively in sub-Saharan Africa and most of them are between 15 and 24 years old (more >).
HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health and rights are closely connected. In both cases prevention plays a leading part. DSW provides contraceptives and information about sexual and reproductive health and rights. We help during and after pregnancy, offer treatments for sexual transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and empower women and girls to make them less vulnerable.
Thus, even more can be done by bringing together political authorities in European and international conferences and workshops. In our advocacy work, we direct political and public attention to signed contributions as well as to commitments such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
DSW Brussels: Ensuring Sustained European Support
- Photo: JLogan, CC licence BY-SA 3.0
As a global pandemic, HIV/AIDS has been one of the greatest health threats to appear in the last three decades. Halting its spread, and improving the lives of those afflicted, requires an equally global effort. Since the creation of the MDGs, European contributions towards HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment have been mobilised, but sustained support is needed to meet our collective goals by 2015.
An Integrated Approach for Global Health Issues
DSW recognises that concerns of maternal health, child health, HIV/AIDS and SRH are fundamentally related. Preventing and treating HIV/AIDS cannot be done in isolation; but rather requires a comprehensive policy approach that focuses on the importance of education and good practice—such as providing accessible and affordable contraception and sexual education.
As a fundamental component of the ICPD Programme of Action and the MDGs, HIV/AIDS remains a critical obstacle to improving people’s health and livelihood opportunities. Towards global institutions and within Europe, DSW is advancing an integrated vision for donor’s policies and interventions. In the EU, DSW works with the European Parliament’s Working Group on Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS and Development (EPWG) to inform MEPs of the central role of offering a comprehensive health policy.
