Winnie Byanyima, the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Executive Director, says communities play a key role in fighting HIV and ending the scourge.
In a global press release to commemorate World Aids Day, Byanyima said it is because of community engagement that 24 million people living with the disease have been able to access treatment.
"Communities are the best hope for ending AIDS because communities have fought against HIV right from the beginning! As the epidemic raged through our countries, cities, and villages, women held communities together and bore the higher burden of care for their families. For far too long we have taken their volunteerism for granted," — reads part of Byanyima's statement.
Byanyima also called on governments to engage in the fight against HIV/AIDs by providing at least 30% of HIV services in the community and 6% of all HIV funding going to community mobilization, promoting human rights, and changing harmful laws that act as barriers to ending AIDS.
She also recognized women for playing a key role in fighting HIV/AIDS in communities and encouraging the younger population to do the same.
"Twenty-five years ago, a Burundi woman called Jeanne was the first person to disclose that she was living with HIV. Today, Jeanne is holding leaders accountable and fighting for the right to health care. Pioneers like Jeanne have been joined by younger leaders, like 20-year-old Yana, who was born with HIV in Ukraine. Yana founded Teenergizer, a group bringing together young people across Eastern Europe," — says Byanyima.
This year's World AIDs Day is under the theme "Communities Making a Difference."
The need to ensure that essential HIV services reach those who are most at risk and in need, particularly children living with HIV, key populations to HIV, and their partners.
