UNAIDS and the University of Witwatersrand Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in order to combine efforts towards ending the AIDS epidemic in eastern and southern Africa. The MoU was signed on 3 September at a ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa, by UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and the Executive Director of Wits RHI, Helen Rees.

UNAIDS and Wits RHI will work with governments and partners to develop and implement a regional strategy on ending the AIDS epidemic, analyse programmatic gaps and increase access to antiretroviral therapy as a preventative measure for people at higher risk of exposure to HIV. They will also work more closely on integrating HIV and tuberculosis services and on developing a regional index on social justice to strengthen advocacy work around human rights and the protection of people living with HIV, populations at higher risk and women and children.  

UNAIDS and Wits RHI will further collaborate on enhancing HIV awareness and prevention education, reducing legal barriers, strengthening social protection for young people and ending gender-based violence.

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