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Protecting the Female Population
from the AIDS Pandemic: WHO Sets
Stage for World AIDS Day
Recognizing that 47% of the
individuals around the world
infected with the HIV virus are
female, the World Health
Organization (WHO) is asking
countries to establish specific and
measurable national targets to
ensure that women and girls have
access to AIDS prevention and
treatment services in preparation
for 2005 World AIDS Day, scheduled
for December 1st,.
While everyone is aware of the huge
amount of women who are infected
with HIV/AIDS, existing data is not
representative of this. According
to the WHO, in order to develop
measures that are effective,
countries must begin to collect data
that shows the gender and age of
those who have access to prevention
treatment. This modification will
assist countries in making sure that
their national targets are
equivalent in proportion to the
number of men, women and children
who are living with HIV and in need
of treatment.
In its press release, the WHO also
cites the role that violence plays
in the AIDS pandemic among women and
children. Studies conducted in
Rwanda, South Africa and the United
Republic of Tanzania show up to
three-fold increases in the risk of
HIV among women who have experienced
violence compared to those who have
not. Additionally, “The fear of
violence prevents many women from
accessing HIV information and from
getting testing and seeking
treatment,” according to a statement
made by Dr. Peter Piot, UNAIDS
Executive Director.
In addition to recognizing and
implementing measures to address the
violence issue, countries also need
to address other barriers such as
lack of transportation, location of
treatment centers, hours of
operation, and long wait times which
further prevent women and from
accessing treatment services. The
WHO recommends that countries
integrate HIV/AIDS services with
sexual and reproductive health
services, such as family planning
and antenatal care to help address
the different needs of women and
reduce stigma.
Finally, WHO suggests that countries
consider the costs of antiretrovials
(ARVs), user fees or cost-recovery
mechanisms in the development of
their national programs. In many
countries women do not have access
to financial resources or the chance
to earn it and therefore are
prevented from obtaining access to
treatment. Accordingly, WHO
suggests creating a free provision
for ARVs at the point of service
which may result in a greater number
of women beginning treatment
programs.
In further support of this effort,
WHO and UNAIDS have released two
documents aimed at ensuring
equitable access to ARV treatment
for potentially underserved,
vulnerable and marginalized groups,
including women. The first is a
policy brief, which outlines key
issues that affect women's access to
HIV treatment and care. It also
identifies actions to address the
impact of gender inequality on
women's use of HIV services. The
second, "Guidance on Ethics and
Equitable Access to HIV Treatment
and Care", explains how ethical
analysis, using the principles of
utility, efficiency and fairness,
can help policy- makers assess the
various possibilities and
consequences of their choices. The
document also stresses the
importance of involving all
stakeholders in an open and
accountable process of planning
services and prioritizing groups for
treatment.
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