GENEVA, 6 March 2025– Ahead of International Women’s Day, 8 March, UNAIDS  calls for renewed efforts in support of gender equality  to facilitate increased and accelerated access to HIV services for women and girls.

Great progress has been made in preventing new HIV infections among women and girls in the past two decades. The rate of new HIV infections declined by 63% among adolescent girls and young women between 2010 to 2023. However, women and girls remain most vulnerable to HIV. In sub-Saharan Africa, adolescent girls and young women aged between 15-24 years are three times more likely to be newly infected with HIV than men and boys the same age. Every week 4000 young women and girls become infected with HIV globally; 3100 of them are in sub-Saharan Africa.

UNAIDS urges continued funding to support women and girls to prevent new HIV infections, to stop gender-based violence - which heightens women’s and girls’ risk for HIV infection - and to ensure access to treatment, if prevention fails.

“There is a deep injustice faced by women and girls - their vulnerability to HIV,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “But when we work with countries to support girls and enable them to complete secondary school, we keep them safer from HIV, from teenage pregnancy, from violence and child marriage. That means HIV programmes for women and girls need to be fully funded and expanded and that women and girls must be able to access the prevention and treatment tools that meet their specific needs. This includes new prevention tools - such as the new long-acting injectable HIV prevention technologies. HIV is a feminist issue, and we cannot wait any longer for gender equality.

This year marks the 30^th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Adopted in 1995 in China’s capital city by 189 governments, the declaration remains a fundamental blueprint for women and girls’ rights worldwide. Rooted in the experiences and demands of women and girls, the Beijing Declaration outlined 12 critical areas for action and affirmed women’s right to live free from violence. ‘Human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights,’ was the rallying cry for feminists at that conference. It still is.

The world cannot wait for another 30 years to fulfill the promise of gender equality. It is key to continue advancing women’s and girls’ rights, promote gender equality, foster empowerment; and ensure that young women and girls can access the life-saving HIV services they need – and deserve.

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.

In Tajikistan, 61% of the national HIV program is funded by external sources. The US Government funding amounts to approximately 20% and is the second largest contribution after Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which represent around 40% of the total resources. Contributions from other donors are negligible. 

The suspension of USAID funding has had a profound impact on civil society organizations (CSOs) that provide essential HIV services. 

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In Tajikistan, 61% of the national HIV program is funded by external sources. The US Government funding amounts to approximately 20% and is the second largest contribution after Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which represent around 40% of the total resources. Contributions from other donors are negligible. 

The US Government is a key partner in developing national HIV programs and strategies including writing country proposals to the Global Fund, strengthening laboratory services, introducing and informing the population about best practices in HIV prevention, integrating HIV with other services, and collecting and providing statistical data for decision-making. In addition, funding from the US Government is key to the functioning and survival of civil society organizations, communities of people living with HIV, and representatives of key populations in the country. 

The suspension of USAID funding has had a profound impact on civil society organizations (CSOs) that provide essential HIV services. This has led to:

• Fragmentation of the HIV response: Vulnerable populations are at greater risk of exclusion and neglect without these services.
• Loss of outreach services: Hard-to-reach populations have limited access to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment.
• Impact on adherence support: People living with HIV (PLHIV) are struggling to maintain antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens, leading to increased viral loads and poorer health outcomes.
• Suspension of peer support programs: PLHIV are deprived of critical emotional and practical support, which is particularly important in a context of prevalent stigma and discrimination.
• Civil society impact, resilience and response: The suspension of USAID funding has led to a decline in community involvement, which will reduce PLHIV representation in policy and programming, making interventions less responsive to their needs. The loss of participation in regional networks will disconnect Tajikistan's HIV response from global and regional best practices, reducing opportunities for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and resource mobilization.

Eleven UNAIDS’ Country Offices submitted new reports on the impact of the freeze of US foreign assistance on their country AIDS responses during the week of 24-28 February. As of 28 February, at least one status report had been received from 59 countries, including 79% of all PEPFAR-funded countries and an additional 15 countries that receive US support for their AIDS responses.

Last week, the U.S. Government issued termination letters for many agreements held by USAID. This decision is expected to significantly alter the situation reported by countries in the coming days. For example, in South Africa dozens of USAID implementing partners received termination letters on 26 February. These decisions will affect a large proportion of the 15,374 PEPFAR-funded staff working on the national HIV response in South Africa. Managers of critical programmes have said they have been given too little time to transition from U.S. funding to other sources of funding.

CONTINUE READING (PDF)

Eleven UNAIDS’ Country Offices submitted new reports on the impact of the freeze of US foreign assistance on their country AIDS responses during the week of 24-28 February. As of 28 February, at least one status report had been received from 59 countries, including 79% of all PEPFAR-funded countries and an additional 15 countries that receive US support for their AIDS responses.

Last week, the U.S. Government issued termination letters for many agreements held by USAID. This decision is expected to significantly alter the situation reported by countries in the coming days. For example, in South Africa dozens of USAID implementing partners received termination letters on 26 February. These decisions will affect a large proportion of the 15,374 PEPFAR-funded staff working on the national HIV response in South Africa. Managers of critical programmes have said they have been given too little time to transition from U.S. funding to other sources of funding.

CONTINUE READING (PDF)

New funding for the HIV project implemented by FHI360 – previously supported by U.S. funding - in Mali has been allocated. Once the funds are deployed, the project will be able to resume its activities.

This is significant as the work of associations and NGOs had nearly come to a standstill due to the suspension of U.S. funding. 

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New funding for the HIV project implemented by FHI360 – previously supported by U.S. funding - in Mali has been allocated. Once the funds are deployed, the project will be able to resume its activities.

This is significant as the work of associations and NGOs had nearly come to a standstill due to the suspension of U.S. funding. 

Following a report on the impact of the U.S. funding suspension on the community response to HIV, the Malian Government allocated 120 million CFA francs to affected associations to help them continue their activities and mitigate the negative effects of the suspension. This decision was made during a meeting on February 28, organized jointly by the UNAIDS Country Office and the Executive Secretary of the High National Council for the Fight against AIDS.

Despite the reinstatement of funding for the FHI360 project, there are still immediate risks and disruptions to HIV programmes in Mali. The suspension of U.S. funding to PEPFAR has caused disruptions in HIV treatment, testing, and prevention services. This has led to clinic closures and health workers being put on leave, which poses a significant risk to the continuity of HIV services in Mali.

At the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly, UNAIDS congratulated H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on his election as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission, along with the newly elected Commissioners. UNAIDS looks forward to strengthening the long lasting and fruitful cooperation with the African Union to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. 

At the event UNAIDS welcomed the historic adoption of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and the endorsement of the African Union Roadmap on Sustaining AIDS, Strengthening Health Systems and Ensuring Health Security for Africa's Development. These two key policy documents represent a collective commitment to address pressing health and human rights challenges faced by women and girls and vulnerable populations across the continent.  

The African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls is a significant step forward in the response to gender-based violence. It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to eliminate violence against women and girls and recognizes the systemic inequalities that perpetuate such violence. UNAIDS stands ready to support African Member States in the implementation of this Convention and to ensure that health systems are equipped to provide essential services to survivors of violence.  

“This Convention, Africa’s first dedicated legal instrument to combat all forms of violence, is a strong step toward justice, equality, and protection for every woman and girl on the continent,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. 

Similarly, the African Union Roadmap marks a transformative vision for health in Africa, aiming to end HIV as a public health threat by 2030 and to effectively control tuberculosis, malaria, and other communicable diseases. The roadmap is critical to strengthening health systems and achieving universal health coverage, especially for the most marginalized populations. It emphasizes the importance of community empowerment, innovative financing, and global solidarity in addressing current and future health challenges. 

"The adoption of the African Union Roadmap is a great milestone for Africa’s health,” said Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director. “With a bold and ambitious vision to tackle the HIV epidemic and other diseases, this roadmap reflects Africa’s commitment to end AIDS." 

UNAIDS is committed to using the African Union Roadmap as a platform for advocacy at the country and regional levels to ensure that HIV remains a priority on political agendas. This will require a holistic approach that integrates health services, human rights, and gender equality. 

The adoption of these frameworks not only sets a bold agenda for health and human rights but also reaffirms the commitment of African Union Member States to the principles of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Together, we can build resilient health systems that uphold the dignity, rights, and health of all people, especially women and girls in Africa. 

UNAIDS calls on all stakeholders, governments, civil society, and international partners—to unite in implementing these critical agreements for a future free from violence and free from HIV, where women and girls can prosper. 

Communities are essential to the sustainability of the HIV response

GENEVA, 26 February 2025—On Zero Discrimination Day, 1 March, everyone’s right to live a full and productive life with dignity is celebrated. Zero Discrimination Day highlights how people can become informed and promote inclusion, compassion, peace and, above all, it is a movement for positive change.

This Zero Discrimination Day, UNAIDS is Standing Together with communities. Communities are essential to the sustainability of the HIV response and to broader global health efforts. They must be financed and supported in their steadfast commitment to ensuring that all people living with and affected by HIV have access to the services they need and are treated with dignity and respect.

"The only way to end AIDS is by working together with communities. They build trust and reach people which many traditional health facilities find hard to reach—the most marginalized, and people who face stigma and discrimination,” said Christine Stegling, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director. “To end AIDS by 2030, sustained investment and support for community-led responses is crucial.”

Community healthcare and support providers are too often faced with challenges—stigma, discrimination, criminalization, funding cuts, and political backlash—despite their primary role in ensuring that health services reach everyone in need, including the most vulnerable.

Compounding this, the current crisis caused by the shift in U.S. government funding has resulted in deep anxiety and pain for many community organizations as the future of life-saving community-led HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support programmes are at risk, despite the clear evidence of the positive impact of community-led services.

Community led services are essential to the sustainability of the AIDS response up to and beyond 2030, yet community-led responses are too often unrecognized, under-resourced and in some places even under attack. Crackdowns on civil society and on the human rights of marginalized communities are obstructing communities from providing HIV prevention and treatment services. The underfunding of community-led initiatives is leaving them struggling to continue operating as well as holding them back from expanding. If these obstacles are removed, community-led organizations can add even greater impetus to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

“No society can thrive where discrimination exists,” said Marc Angel, Vice President of the European Parliament and a long-time HIV activist. “Every right denied, every barrier imposed weakens us all. On Zero Discrimination Day, let’s make it clear: equality is not an option—it’s a necessity. We stand together.”

On this year’s Zero Discrimination Day, UNAIDS calls on countries, donors and partners to fulfill their commitments and Stand Together to support communities as they work to build sustainable HIV responses by ensuring that:

• Community-led organizations are able to deliver life-saving services and advocate without discrimination or harassment.
• Community-led organizations can legally be registered in the country they are working in and receive sustainable funding.
• Communities are supported in providing health services to vulnerable and marginalized groups.
• Communities are supported and funded in work to monitor respect for human rights including ending the criminalization of key populations, stigma and discrimination and gender inequalities.
• Government health services include community representatives within their structures as partners in the development, implementation and monitoring of health programmes to ensure they are accessible and acceptable to people living with HIV and marginalized populations.

The sustainability of the AIDS response now and into the future is critical with communities at the centre. Now is the time to reaffirm global commitment to their leadership.