Page 44 - Human Rights

Faculty of Nursing
Adult care Nursing Department

HIV/AIDS is a growing health and human rights problem that has reached pandemic proportions.

Lack of accurate information and stigma surrounding the disease are present across the world,

partly due to a variety of taboos associated with sexual activity – and particularly involving sexual

activity between men, sex involving adolescents and commercial and extra-marital sex – and
intravenous drug use.

Fear and discrimination resulting from lack of accurate information and stigma represent real

barriers to prevention and care, and where available, treatment programmers.

Inadequate knowledge of the disease and lack of power in relationships lead to insufficient access

to HIV prevention services and an inability to negotiate safer sex.

The human rights dimension of HIV/AIDS was recognized very early in the pandemic, with the

WHO Global Programmed on AIDS taking a lead on promoting the protection of the rights of
people living with HIV/AIDS.

The first international consultation on HIV and human rights took place in Geneva from 26 to 28

July 1989.

A second consultation in Geneva in 1996 concluded that when human rights are protected, fewer

people become infected and those living with HIV/AIDS and their families can cope better.

A third consultation addressed access to prevention, treatment, care and support.

Human rights have been discussed and advocated in numerous inter-governmental venues

including the General Assembly of the United Nations and the UN Security Council.

These discussions have given rise to some important resolutions and statements including the

Declaration of Commitment arising from the UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on

HIV/AIDS in 2001 which is due for review in 2006.

41 Academic Year 2025/2026