PRETORIA/GENEVA, 2 December 2015—The Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, has appointed South African First Lady Tobeka Madiba Zuma as UNAIDS Special Advocate for the Health of Women, Youth and Children. During a ceremony in Pretoria, South Africa, Mr Sidibé and Madam Zuma also signed a memorandum of understanding between UNAIDS and the Tobeka Madiba Zuma (TMZ) Foundation to strengthen collaboration between UNAIDS and the TMZ Foundation.

Madam Zuma will use her position as a UNAIDS Special Advocate to speak out on issues related to women’s sexual and reproductive health, especially on HIV prevention among adolescent girls and young women.

“I am delighted to be here with the First Lady of South Africa, Madam Zuma, to recognize her work to improve the lives of women and girls in South Africa, and to appoint her as UNAIDS Special Advocate for the Health of Women, Youth and Children,” said Mr Sidibé. “UNAIDS will continue to support her in her good work.”

Madam Zuma, as patron and founder of the TMZ Foundation, conducts extensive advocacy work on women’s health, with a focus on HIV, tuberculosis and breast and cervical cancer.

“I would like to thank UNAIDS for having worked with myself and the TMZ Foundation in recent years. I would also like to thank my husband, President Jacob Zuma, for taking bold steps to take us from denial to taking responsibility for the HIV epidemic,” said Madam Zuma. “I am happy and honoured, and pledge to use my position as First Lady of South Africa to raise awareness of these issues.”

Adolescent girls and young women in South Africa between the ages of 15 and 24 are at a much higher risk of HIV. It is estimated that new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women in this age group account for a quarter of all new HIV infections in South Africa.

There are a range of biological and sociological factors that place young women and girls at higher risk of HIV infection, including early sexual debut, relationships with men much older than themselves, who may already be HIV-positive, and gender-based violence.
“Girls should have books, not babies,” remarked Madam Zuma, reflecting on the high prevalence of teenage pregnancy in the country.

The memorandum of understanding between UNAIDS and the TMZ Foundation will help to advance efforts in South Africa to improve the health of women, children and young people as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Fiji has shown significant leadership and commitment to the response to HIV. On the occasion of World AIDS Day 2015, UNAIDS has appointed the country’s former President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, as a Regional Goodwill Ambassador for the Pacific. The announcement was made by Jan Beagle, Deputy Executive Director of UNAIDS, during a World AIDS Day ceremony in Suva attended by representatives of government, civil society and international organizations.

“Fiji has some important lessons to share in a number of areas, including leadership, multisectorality, integration and partnership, that can benefit the region, and beyond, as we strive to reach the goal of ending AIDS by 2030,” said Ms Beagle. “His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has been a steadfast advocate and at the forefront of these efforts, championing the HIV response and the meaningful inclusion of key populations.”

Building on his experience and years of commitment, Mr Epeli Nailatikau will help mobilize political support for the UNAIDS Fast-Track approach across the region, to accelerate and front-load investment over the next five years as a critical step towards ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. In his new role as Regional Goodwill Ambassador he will also work with UNAIDS to help to ensure that the human rights of people living with HIV and key populations at higher risk of HIV are protected and respected, and that young people, women and girls and people living with and affected by HIV are meaningfully engaged in the HIV response.

With the exception of Papua New Guinea, HIV prevalence is low across the Pacific. However, a combination of factors could lead to a rise in the HIV epidemic in the region. These include widespread migration and mobility, high levels of multiple sexual partners, a large caseload of untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs), low knowledge about HIV and STIs, high levels of transactional sex and significant levels of intimate partner violence. Stigma and discrimination towards key populations at higher risk of HIV is also high.

Former President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said, “To get where we need to be, I believe it is time to Fast-Track the HIV response. As UNAIDS Regional Goodwill Ambassador I will work tirelessly to end the AIDS epidemic not only in Fiji but throughout the Pacific. You can count on me.”

ProTest HIV, a global initiative that encourages young people to get tested for HIV, was launched by UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé in Libreville, Gabon, on 28 November. At the event, Mr Sidibé called on young people worldwide to join the movement and get involved in ending the AIDS epidemic.

Young ProTest HIV ambassadors selected by their peers participated in the launch, which was held at an HIV testing site set up at the Gabon marathon. UNAIDS is working with young people on the initiative to spread the word on the importance of HIV testing.

UNAIDS estimates that 17.1 million of the 36.9 million people living with HIV worldwide do not know they have the virus. Getting tested is a crucial first step for people living with HIV to access life-saving antiretroviral therapy.

Mr Sidibé urged young ambassadors to take the lead in Gabon on the first 90 of the UNAIDS 90–90–90 treatment target and to invite their peers to get tested, too. The UNAIDS 90–90–90 treatment target is that, by 2020, 90% of people living with HIV know their HIV status, 90% of people who know their HIV-positive status are accessing antiretroviral treatment and 90% of people on treatment to have suppressed viral loads.

In Gabon, new HIV infections among children, adolescents and young people have largely declined since 2001, but AIDS-related deaths of adolescents have increased. This is partly due to the lack of integrated youth-friendly services and HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Adolescent girls in Gabon are particularly vulnerable—in 2014, 80% of adolescents newly infected with HIV were girls. 

Quotes

Fast-Track Strategy to reach people with HIV prevention and treatment and end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat 

DURBAN/GENEVA, 1 December 2015—On World AIDS Day 2015, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, has said that countries are on a countdown to ending their AIDS epidemics and that if swift and effective action is taken over the next five years, one by one they will break their epidemics so that they cannot rebound.

Mr Sidibé made the remarks as he joined the Deputy President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, at South Africa’s national World AIDS Day event, which was held in the Ugu District of KwaZulu-Natal Province on 1 December.

Introduced by Aaron Motsoaledi, the Minister of Health of South Africa, Mr Ramaphosa reflected on what World AIDS Day means to him: celebrating the courage of people living with HIV, evaluating the progress―or lack thereof―of the national AIDS response, recognizing partners and recommitting to the goal an HIV-free generation.

“This is the time for all of us to rise, act and protect. As a nation we must rise to the challenge and be confident that we can succeed,” said Mr Ramaphosa. “Yes, we will be triumphant and yes, we will make progress. As a nation and as individuals we must act to support and encourage others, and we must protect ourselves and those near to us.”

In his remarks, Mr Ramaphosa thanked Mr Sidibé for his role in encouraging South Africa to lead the charge towards ending AIDS.

“South Africa’s story is one of moving from denial to acceptance, from dependency to ownership and from despair to hope, with impressive results,” said Mr Sidibé. “South Africa has shown us not to be afraid of our future, but to shape it.”

Political leadership, community engagement and global solidarity have changed the face of the epidemic in South Africa.

In 2009, only a few hundred thousand people had access to antiretroviral therapy in South Africa. In just six years the number more than tripled, and in 2014 more than 3 million South Africans were accessing the life-changing treatment.

This was made possible by the government’s commitment and investment in the national response to HIV. South Africa invests US$ 1.8 billion dollars in the AIDS response—the second largest domestic investment in the world and the biggest in Africa. South Africa also secured a 53% reduction in the price of the provision of antiretroviral medicines. This has allowed more people to have access to treatment and has saved the country almost US$ 685 million over a two-year period.

The World AIDS Day event included participation by community champions, people living with HIV and a range of civil society organizations. A candle lighting ceremony was held to remember and honour loved ones lost to the AIDS epidemic.

“The world is facing a fragile five-year window of opportunity to break the epidemic and keep it from rebounding,” said Mr Sidibé. “We will not win against AIDS without communities. They are essential partners for the future success of the AIDS response.”

By supporting community organizations and strengthening local services, countries will be able to reach people who are still being left behind in the response to HIV. Ensuring access to HIV services for key populations will lead to healthier and more resilient societies. It will also significantly advance efforts to prevent new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, and to eliminate HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

UNAIDS estimates that a record 15.8 million people are now accessing treatment globally. However, 21.1 million people still do not have access to treatment and 17 million people do not know they are living with HIV. With attention to location and population, countries will be able to redistribute resources to improve access to HIV prevention, testing and treatment services and close the gaps towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. 

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Red Ribbon Award—honouring the best in community support to people living with and affected by HIV

1 December 2015—On this year’s World AIDS Day, UNAIDS and civil society partners, in collaboration with the organizers of the 21st International AIDS Conference, jointly announce a global call for nominations for the 2016 Red Ribbon Award. The award, which will be presented at the 21st International AIDS Conference, to be held in July 2016 in Durban, South Africa, honours community-based organizations for their contributions to the response to AIDS.

Community-based organizations have been instrumental in achieving the progress made so far towards ending the AIDS epidemic, which has seen new HIV infections fall by 35% since 2000 and AIDS-related deaths fall by 42% since the 2004 peak. Moreover, 15.8 million people living with HIV now have access to antiretroviral treatment.

Winning a Red Ribbon Award is highly respected by community-based organizations around the world. In 2014, more than 1000 nominations were received. The award not only brings a deserved spotlight on the most inspiring and innovative community responses, it also highlights the crucial importance of the community response to HIV and helps communities advocate for their involvement in the AIDS response with local, national and global leaders and decision-makers.

The biennial award is given to 10 organizations that have shown outstanding community leadership and action on HIV. The five award categories are:

• Good health and well-being (Sustainable Development Goal 3).
• Reduced inequalities (Sustainable Development Goal 10).
• Gender equality (Sustainable Development Goal 5).
• Just, peaceful and inclusive societies (Sustainable Development Goal 16).
• Global partnerships (Sustainable Development Goal 17).

These categories highlight the key elements of the UNAIDS Fast-Track Strategy targets to be met by 2020 to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. Community-based organizations active in these categories have an important role to play in achieving the UNAIDS 90–90–90 treatment target by 2020 of 90% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 90% of people who know their HIV-positive are on treatment and 90% of people on treatment have suppressed viral loads.

Each winner of the award will receive US$ 10 000. Representatives of each winning body will present the work of their organization, their priorities, the challenges they face and their approaches to community engagement at the 21st International AIDS Conference.

Nominations will be accepted from 1 December 2015 to 14 February 2016. Nominations can be submitted online at www.redribbonaward.org, where further information can be found. Community-based organizations* working to halt and reverse the spread of HIV are encouraged to apply.

* Please note that only community-based organizations with an annual operating budget below US$ 200 000 should be nominated, and that organizations should have been established for more than one year at the time of nomination.

For more information, please visit www.redribbonaward.org.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

The global AIDS response requires emphasis on the people not reached by essential services, the places that are hardest hit and the people who bear the brunt of social inequality. Robert Carr’s entire professional life as a social worker, academic, advocate and activist was dedicated to pointing the Caribbean, and the world, in that direction.

On 10 November, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé visited the Kingston, Jamaica, offices of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition—founded by Mr Carr in 2004—where he paid his respects to Mr Carr, who died in 2011, and recommitted to his legacy. Ending AIDS as a public health threat would not happen without concrete investments in addressing social exclusion and promoting human rights, Mr Sidibé said.

Mr Sidibé said, “I will always hold dear the memory of Robert Carr, because he helped us understand we will never end the AIDS epidemic if we don’t deal with people who are excluded.”

Mr Carr was a past Co-chair of both the Global Forum on MSM & HIV and the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS. He was at various times Policy and Advocacy Director of the International Council of AIDS Service Organizations and a member of both the UNAIDS Reference Group on HIV and Human Rights and the nongovernmental organization delegation to the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board. 

In the Caribbean he mobilized partners around the goal of addressing the deep-seated prejudices that left people excluded and often criminalized, pushing them away from HIV services.

Carolyn Gomes, Chairperson of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition, said, “Robert’s vision is beginning to take shape.” She pointed to several aspects of the organization’s work, including helping to strengthen the Caribbean Sex Worker Coalition, collaborating with the Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities and supporting burgeoning transgender groups in different countries.

“We try to continue Robert’s special legacy, his subversiveness”, Ms Gomes said. “He spoke truth to power but also had a genuine heart and insistence that voices be heard.”

During the visit Mr Sidibé paid tribute to Mr Carr’s parents, Peter and June Carr. He was presented with Who cares? The economics of dignity, a book Mr Carr co-authored that calls for increased emphasis on people who provide care and support to people living with HIV.

Mr Sidibé reaffirmed his commitment to the Robert Carr Civil Society Networks Fund, which seeks to strengthen international collaboration and provide funding to civil society networks assisting inadequately served populations. Community organizations, he emphasized, are critical to reaching the Fast-Track Targets.