The World Health Organization (WHO) declares with human rights at the center, with communities in the lead, the world can end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. On 1 December, WHO joins partners and communities to commemorate World AIDS Day 2024 under the theme “Take the rights path: My health, my right!”.

WHO, asserts that together, we must confront the inequalities that hinder our journey toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals target of ending AIDS by 2030. This year’s theme, “Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right!” is a rallying cry for accessible, rights-based healthcare that empowers those affected by HIV/AIDS to live vibrant and fulfilling lives. rights-based approach is not just a strategy; it is a commitment to uphold the dignity, health, and autonomy of every individual, especially those with vulnerabilities and are most at-risk. We must boldly tackle the stigma and discrimination that stand as aforidable barriers to accessing prevention, treatment, and care.

WHO remains dedicated to creating environments where everyone—regardless of their HIV status or social identity—can access the services they need without fear or exclusion. Empowering communities and civil society are essential in amplifying the voices of those at heightened risk, fostering a supportive framework that intertwines human rights with health outcomes.

Similar to last year, the focus of World AIDS Day has to be more than a celebration of the achievements of communities – this year is a real call to action to enable and support communities in their leadership roles. We must honor the communities’ pivotal impact  in the early days of the AIDS epidemic that was so instrumental in shaping the HIV response as well as global health at large. Today,  we must again unleash the full potential of community leadership to raise awareness about the challenges that remain, ensure HIV prevention, empower timely diagnosis, augment care models, improve treatment outcomes, actualize more essential support services and to ultimately enable the end of AIDS. Communities can no longer be a sidecar to government policies, funding, and the current direction of HIV/AIDS work. We can no longer be a passenger on this journey, instead we must lead the conversation and the work going forward. We must first remember – “nothing about us without us” and regain our central voice in decision-making about directions in policy and programming that affect us directly.

Today,  there is mounting evidence that community leadership, particularly when it includes women’s organizing and leadership, improves HIV prevention and treatment outcomes. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations notes that  the resources are not following the evidence. Community-led responses and organizing are often under-resourced, unremunerated, under-supported, and under-acknowledged.

The UNAIDS campaign proposes that the world can end AIDS, with communities leading the way. Organizations of communities living with, at risk of, or affected by HIV are the frontline of progress in the HIV response. Communities like HOCC connect people with person-centered public health services, build trust, innovate, monitor implementation of policies and services, and hold providers accountable. The UNAIDS suggests that today communities are being held back in their leadership. Recent funding shortages as we have felt throughout 2024, policy and regulatory hurdles, capacity constraints, and crackdowns on civil society and on the human rights of marginalized communities, are obstructing the progress of HIV prevention and treatment services. If these obstacles are removed, community-led organizations can add even greater impetus to the global HIV response, advancing progress towards the end of AIDS.

The United Nation’s Women proposes several solutions: invest in feminist, community-led HIV responses and movements and invest in women’s and girls’ leadership and in their initiatives. Let Women in Communities Lead.

When we support women’s community leadership and organizing, this will not only bring us more effective HIV responses, it will also move us towards overall greater gender equality and help dismantle the persisting barriers to ending AIDS, the ultimate goal we seek on this Day.

Since recognizing the first World AIDS Day 36 years ago, we have made enormous progress in preventing, detecting, and treating HIV — greatly reducing annual HIV diagnoses and transmission.  But despite these advancements, about 39 million people continue to live with HIV, including more than one million people in the United States.  Far too often, people living with HIV face stigma and discrimination that prevents them from accessing the care they need.  So, as we reflect on our progress today, we must also come together to renew our promises to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic and join forces with WHO for the goal to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

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December 1st

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